Rights Holder: Birmingham 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: WMID-42E1EA
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
An incomplete lead spindle whorl dating to the Medieval period (c. AD 1100-1450). The weight is biconical and roughly circular in plan, with the possible remains of a casting sprue on one side. The object has a central perforation and the remains of raised linear decoration on both faces .The whorl is thinner on one side than the other possibly owing to wear or owing to a fault in its manufacture. It has an even, light grey patina.
Similar spindle whorls with casting sprues recorded on the PAS database include: WMID-43A82A; WMID-B2083A; and CPAT-E02713. 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 1450 AD).
The overall dimensions are as follows: 37.6mm in length, 27.63mm in width, 8.87mm in thickness and 26.58g in weight.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 100
Date to: Circa AD 1450
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 37.6 mm
Width: 27.63 mm
Thickness: 8.87 mm
Weight: 26.58 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Thursday 8th March 2018
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Materials and construction
Primary material: Lead
Manufacture method: Cast
Decoration style: Linear
Completeness: Incomplete
Spatial metadata
Region: North West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Cheshire East (Unitary Authority)
District: Cheshire East (Unitary Authority)
Parish or ward: Moreton cum Alcumlow (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SJ8559
Four figure Latitude: 53.12795122
Four figure longitude: -2.22562319
1:25K map: SJ8559
1:10K map: SJ85NE
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: WMID-007C1C
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
A complete lead or lead alloy bi convex spindle whorl, of probably the Roman to Post Medieval period, probably dating from c. AD 43 - c. AD 1…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: DENO-EC9A45
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
A complete, cast lead spindle whorl, of uncertain date.It measures 29.6 mm in diameter and has a thickness of 9.5 mm. weighs 34.01 g…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: WMID-833C92
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
A complete lead or lead alloy biconvex spindle whorl, of probable Medieval dating (AD 1100 to AD 1500).
The spindle whorl is sub-circula…
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