Rights Holder: York Museums Trust
CC License: 
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
SPINDLE WHORL
Unique ID: YORYM-93518C
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A complete lead-alloy spindle whorl of medieval to post-medieval date, c.AD 1200 - 1800. The spindle whorl is bi-conical with a central perforation running through it. Both surfaces are decorated with irregular raised lines radiating from the central perforation. Six raised pellets are also present on each face.
The metal has a light brown-white patina and is worn. The spindle whorl is 29mm in diameter, 14.3mm thick and weighs 39.7g. The perforation is 10.8mm in diameter.
Lead spindle whorls were commonly used from the Iron Age through to the post-medieval period and are difficult to date with any certainty. Decorated examples are thought to date to the medieval to post-medieval periods while undecorated examples cannot be securely dated without supporting contextual evidence.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1200
Date to: Circa AD 1800
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 14.3 mm
Weight: 39.7 g
Diameter: 29 mm
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference numbers
Other reference: YMT : E05531
Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: Yorkshire and the Humber (European Region)County or Unitary authority: North Yorkshire (County)
District: Richmondshire (District)
Parish or ward: Bellerby (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SE1192
Four figure Latitude: 54.32346204
Four figure longitude: -1.83238248
1:25K map: SE1192
1:10K map: SE19SW
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
Similar objects
Find number: YORYM-B6E981
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
A complete lead-alloy spindle whorl of medieval to Post-Medieval date, c.AD 1200 - 1800. The spindle whorl is bi-conical with a central perfo…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: YORYM-999F0B
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
A complete lead-alloy spindle whorl of medieval to post-medieval date, c.AD 1200 - 1800. The spindle whorl is bi-conical with a central perfo…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: YORYM-AB692C
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
A complete lead-alloy spindle whorl of medieval to post-medieval date, c.AD 1200 - 1800. The spindle whorl is bi-conical with a central perfo…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Timeline of associated dates
About Us
About our Site
Find us
The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG.
T: +44(0) 20 73238618