Record ID: NMS-D6190E
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Early-medieval or medieval lead spindle whorl. It is very nearly circular, flat on the underside and minimally convex on top. The edge is also minimally convex in profile and runs broadly at right angles to the faces. The central perforation is narrower at the top than the bottom. It is roughly circular internally but now quite deformed at the openings. The upper face is decorated with a five or six petalled flower motif in very low relief, centred on the perforation. It is very worn and now barely visible. Lead spindle whorls seem to have been in use from the 10th to 14th centuries. …
Created on: Wednesday 5th April 2023
Last updated: Tuesday 27th June 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-D5DF2C
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Early-medieval or medieval lead spindle whorl. It is very nearly circular but flattened over a short distance on one side. It is broadly flat on the underside and around the central perforation on the upper face. Beyond this the upper face curves convexly and radially into the sides. The perforation is circular or very nearly so, and of more of less constant diameter. The upper face is decorated with an indistinct, sub-lozenge shape in relief, centred on the perforation. Lead spindle whorls seem to have been in use from the 10th to 14th centuries. Diameter 29.2mm. Thickness: 9.1mm. Di…
Created on: Wednesday 5th April 2023
Last updated: Tuesday 27th June 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-260021
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Early-medieval or medieval lead spindle whorl. It is sub-circular, broadly flat on both faces with broadly straight parallel sides. The upper face is decorated with a five-petalled flower motif in relief, centred on the central hole. The petals are convex at their tips and there is small sub-triangular counter-relief space between each one. The hole is is very nearly circular and of uniform diameter. Lead spindle whorls seem to have been in use from the 10th to 14th centuries. Diameter 29.3mm. Thickness: 11.2mm. Diameter of perforation: 9.3mm. Weight: 57.2g
Created on: Tuesday 7th February 2023
Last updated: Wednesday 5th April 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-7DD71B
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Lead spindle whorl, 31-32mm in diameter and 11-12mm tall. It has a flat underside, with a slight concentric groove, and a smoothly domed top which is decorated with five evenly spaced curving radial ribs or ridges, each c. 2-3mm wide. The central perforation is almost cylindrical, flaring a little from c. 9.5mm at the top to c. 10mm wide at the bottom. It weighs 57.2g.  Excavated parallels with good dates are few, but seem to centre on the late medieval period, perhaps 14th or 15th century.
Created on: Monday 30th January 2023
Last updated: Monday 17th April 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-AA746A
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Medieval or post-medieval lead spindle whorl. It is discoidal and bi-convex, with a circular central perforation that tapers marginally in diameter from one face to the other. It is decorated on both faces with multiple raised circular pellets, arranged randomly within and around a star motif composed of obliquely radiating and curved ridges. There appear to be five star-rays on each face, although not all of the ridges are clearly visible. Most rays are composed of two ridges which meet at a point at the outer edge. They vary in considerably in size shape and distribution. There is al…
Created on: Thursday 27th October 2022
Last updated: Friday 16th December 2022
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-BC9782
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Early-medieval or medieval lead spindle whorl. It is broadly circular, with a perimeter edge that varies between vertical and oblique, flat on one face and roughly flat on the opposite face, except for four low protruding irregularly-shaped lumps spaced out around the outside. They could be said to be at roughly three, six, nine and eleven o'clock. The perforation in the centre is circular, neat and of uniform diameter throughout, but perhaps very slightly oblique. Lead spindle whorls seem to have been in use from the 10th to 14th centuries. External diameter: 24.3mm. Internal d…
Created on: Friday 29th April 2022
Last updated: Monday 27th June 2022
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-56A419
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Lead alloy, circular (30mm diameter) spindle whorl. Bi-conical with slightly concave sloping faces. The periphery is squared with remnants of radial line decoration cast in relief on one of the sloping sides. Central 11mm circular perforation tapering to 10mm at the non decorated side. Spindle whorls are very much utility devices providing a simple spinning-inertia function when manually turning fibres into yarn. Their use spans the Iron Age, Roman, Early-Medieval, Medieval and early Post-Medieval periods. The hand spindle on which they were used continued in use at least until the 16…
Created on: Thursday 31st March 2022
Last updated: Thursday 31st March 2022
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-4CDE5F
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Lead alloy, circular (29.6mm diameter) undecorated spindle whorl. Plano-convex with a slightly offset central 12mm circular perforation tapering to 9.5mm at the top. The underside has a concentric shrinkage concavity which is a common feature of the casting process for many of these whorls. Spindle whorls are very much utility devices providing a simple spinning-inertia function when manually turning fibres into yarn. Their use spans the Iron Age, Roman, Early-Medieval, Medieval and early Post-Medieval periods. The hand spindle on&…
Created on: Wednesday 30th March 2022
Last updated: Saturday 18th November 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-F0A414
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Lead alloy, circular, plano-convex undecorated cast object, possibly a spindle whorl or weight. The hole at the upper (convex side) of the object is most unusual for a whorl as it is rectangular (3mm x 5.3mm slot). The basal hole is circular and 7.7mm diameter; the spindle stick shaft would have been circular or sub-circular in cross-section and thus the whorl would not have engaged properly over it. It could be a discarded miscast reject that was never used for its intended purpose, or it could have been repurposed or originally intended as a weight for trade or hunting. Weight is 28…
Created on: Thursday 7th October 2021
Last updated: Tuesday 14th December 2021
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-2EEA3C
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Lead alloy, circular, plano-convex decorated cast spindle whorl. The off-centre circular perforation is slightly damaged at the apex but it is largely parallel-sided through to the base. The upper surface of this whorl have been crudely decorated with linear scratches or knife cuts forming an angular random geometric design. Spindle whorls are very much utility devices providing a simple spinning-inertia function when manually turning fibres into yarn. Their use spans the Iron Age, Roman, Early-Medieval, Medieval and early Post-Medieval periods, but in metal they are more typically Ea…
Created on: Tuesday 28th September 2021
Last updated: Tuesday 14th December 2021
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-7D5783
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Lead alloy, circular (29mm diameter) undecorated spindle whorl. The cross-section is sub-rectangular with a near parallel sided central 12mm circular perforation. One face has a concentric shrinkage concavity which is a common feature of the casting process for many of these whorls. Spindle whorls are very much utility devices providing a simple spinning-inertia function when manually turning fibres into yarn. Their use spans the Iron Age, Roman, Early-Medieval, Medieval and early Post-Medieval periods. The hand spindle on which they were used continued in use at least until the 16th …
Created on: Thursday 26th August 2021
Last updated: Tuesday 14th December 2021
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-D0533E
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Lead alloy, circular, plano-convex undecorated cast spindle whorl. The slightly off-centre circular perforation narrows somewhat towards the base, either by design or wear, from 10.3mm diameter uppermost to 8.9mm at the base. Spindle whorls are very much utility devices providing a simple spinning-inertia function when manually turning fibres into yarn. Their use spans the Iron Age, Roman, Early-Medieval, Medieval and early Post-Medieval periods, but in metal are more typically Early Medieval to Post Medieval. The hand spindle on which they were used continued in use at least until th…
Created on: Friday 6th August 2021
Last updated: Tuesday 14th December 2021
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-767D0E
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Medieval biconical lead spindle whorl, decorated in relief with radial ribs on both faces. The central perforation has irregular concave sides and irregularly-shaped openings: a smaller one at the top and a larger one underneath. The lower face bears eight approximately equally-spaced radial ribs. The upper face retains only two clearly visible ribs and three others which are faint. The rest have very likely worn away. There is no trace of pellets or any other decorative forms between the ribs on either face. 15th to early 16th century. Diameter: 30.5mm. Thickness: 14.0mm. Long d…
Created on: Wednesday 2nd June 2021
Last updated: Monday 28th June 2021
No spatial data available.

Record ID: NMS-2CD0CB
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Lead circular (30mm diameter) undecorated spindle whorl. The cross-section is sub-rectangular with a near parallel sided central circular perforation distorted slightly on its underside. Spindle whorls are very much utility devices providing a simple spinning-inertia function when manually turning fibres into yarn. Their use spans the Iron Age, Roman, Early-Medieval, Medieval and early Post-Medieval periods. The hand spindle on which they were used continued in use at least until the 16th century in Norfolk (Margeson 1993, 184), alongside the spinning wheel, but as domestic hand-held …
Created on: Thursday 28th January 2021
Last updated: Tuesday 14th December 2021
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-AB4886
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Lead plano-convex undecorated spindle whorl. The cross-section is uneven thinning down to one side in a wedge shape (12mm to 9mm). The central circular perforation tapers slightly, either by design or wear, from 9.2mm diameter uppermost to 10.5mm at the base. As is commonly the case there is a slight shrinkage concavity from the casting process evident on the underside, that runs around the annulus close to the central hole. Spindle whorls are very much utility devices providing a simple spinning-inertia function when manually turning fibres into yarn. Their use spans the Iron Age, Ro…
Created on: Friday 22nd January 2021
Last updated: Tuesday 14th December 2021
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-39A1AC
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Lead alloy probably Medieval annular studded weight or more likely spindle whorl. Circular, (26mm diameter) 2.9mm thick flat disc with a 6.5mm circular hole in the centre. On one side are seven, perpendicular 4mm high projecting studs, approximately evenly spaced around the annulus. Grey to creamy white patination. A similar whorl with slightly more sophisticated decoration can be seen at SOM-A4BC67 on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database. Circa AD1100-1500.
Created on: Wednesday 23rd December 2020
Last updated: Thursday 7th January 2021
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-1481D2
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Cast lead or lead-alloy plano-convex decorated spindle whorl. The sides of the whorl are decorated with longitudinal grooves rising from the flat base to the shoulder. There is a parallel sided 8.5mm diameter axial hole running through the middle of the whorl. The underside of the base there is a characteristic groove in the centre of the annulus, probably as a result of shrinkage in casting. Spindle whorls without context are difficult to date, but those carrying decoration are more typically Medieval. Circa  AD1000-1500. 
Created on: Monday 10th August 2020
Last updated: Sunday 21st August 2022
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-0E4053
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Probable Late Saxon or medieval lead spindle whorl. It’s a thick disc with two flat faces and a convex edge. The central perforation is circular with straight parallel sides. Both faces are decorated with an incised circular line, concentric with the perforation. Bordering this on the outside, in a shallow depression and in low relief, is another circular line surrounded a ring of small pellets. The pellets are contiguous with (touching) each other and the circle. The outside edge of the ring of pellets is not clearly defined and in some areas not visible at all, due to wear…
Created on: Friday 29th May 2020
Last updated: Sunday 21st August 2022
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-6EDF62
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Medieval lead biconvex spindle whorl angular decoration in relief (a possible pseudo inscription) on both faces. Central perforation (diameter 11mm). Thickness 16mm. Diameter 32.5mm. Weighing 63.06g. Cf. an example from Cantley, Norfolk (NMS-3E8202), also examples from Meols (Griffiths et al. 2007 no. 2188) and from an early 16th-century context at the Augustinian Friary, Leicester, complete with its wooden spindle (Mellor and Pierce 1981, 139-40, fig.51 no.71). For the significance of such 'mock' inscriptions see Gilchrist (2012), pp.163-5. Perhaps late 15th-early 16th century.
Created on: Monday 28th October 2019
Last updated: Wednesday 23rd February 2022
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-EDDD6C
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Medieval circular lead spindle whorl, diameter 28mm, height 14mm, with straight-sided central hole, diameter 9mm. Decorated with five projecting lozengiform bosses separated by groups of vertical ribs. The circumference is followed by a pronounced casting flash. Weighing 42.79g, 1.51oz. Cf. almost identical examples from Kenninghall (HER 39262) weighing 37.58g / 1.32oz, and King's Lynn (HER 36070). See NMS-1C3DC7 and NARC-5D8EAB for a list of other examples on this database. 14th - early 16th century.
Created on: Tuesday 23rd April 2019
Last updated: Monday 17th February 2020
Spatial data recorded.