Rights Holder: Birmingham Museums Trust
CC License:
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
Unique ID: WMID-4AF0F3
Object type certainty: Probably
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A miscast complete lead or lead alloy probable spindle whorl, of Roman to Post Medieval dating (AD 43 - AD1650).
In plan it is sub-circular and sub rectangular in cross section. Both faces has have six moulded raised circular pellets, located around a slightly off centre perforation, with raised rim. The perforation which has an internal diameter of 8.6 mm. The detail is more obvious on more side than the other, with flattening of the design occuring.
The whorl has a diameter of 32.8 mm and is 12.2 mm thick. It weighs 67.3 g (2.37 oz).
The whorl is of a light to mid grey colour, with an even surface patina. Abrasion, caused by movement whilst within the plough soil, has resulted in a loss of some of the original surface detail.
Spindle whorls, as an artefact type, can be hard to date accurately as they remained in use for a long period of time, however lead alloy spindle whorls of this type are normally attributed to the Medieval period (c. AD 1100 to AD 1450). The weight of the spindle whorl is suggestive of a thick linen or wool thread being spun, as there is a direct relationship between the weight of the whorl and the thickness of the resulting thread. Fine threads such as silk require a lighter whorl than those used to spun wool or linen.
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: UNKNOWN
Period from: ROMAN
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 43
Date to: Circa AD 1650
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 12.2 mm
Weight: 67.3 g
Diameter: 32.8 mm
Date(s) of discovery: Friday 1st September 2017 - Saturday 30th September 2017
This information is restricted for your access level.
4 Figure: SK0438
Four figure Latitude: 52.93938004
Four figure longitude: -1.94192827
1:25K map: SK0438
1:10K map: SK03NW
Grid reference source: Centred on field
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
No references cited so far.