Rights Holder: York Museums Trust
CC License:
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Unique ID: YORYM-EB0377
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 gobular pellets circumferentially surrounding the edge (the pellets of the upper and lower surfaces occasionally intersect) and with smaller pellets at the inner edge. The space between on each surface is decorated with a complex series of irregularly arranged raised ribs.
The metal has a pale cream patina, with a darker surface patina evident in the sunken panels. It is worn throughout. On one side, two zones of dark grey lead are visible where it has been recently struck, exposing the interior fabric. The spindle whorl measures 32.8mm in diameter, 11.0mm in thickness, has an internal diameter of 10.9mm and weighs 39.2g
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 action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1200
Date to: Circa AD 1800
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 11 mm
Weight: 39.2 g
Diameter: 32.8 mm
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Other reference: YMT : E06070
Primary material: Lead Alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
4 Figure: SE3193
Four figure Latitude: 54.33163063
Four figure longitude: -1.52479434
1:25K map: SE3193
1:10K map: SE39SW
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
No references cited so far.