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Description: | A plano-convex spindle whorl which is decorated on both sides with seven evenlz distributed sun-rays, a small pellet in between each two, also in relief, formed around the perforation. It has been noted that the weight of a spindle whorl is demonstrative of the thickness of yarn produced, with lighter spindle whorls (3 - 5 grams) being used for spinning cotton and the heavier ones (30 - 35 grams) for spinning wool (Margeson 1993, page 184). This example weighs 24.4g, so it seems likely that it would have been used to spin a material of medium weight, such as thinner and lighter wool. The dating of unstratified spindle whorls is very difficult. However, Egan (1998, page 256) has argued that there was an apparent lack of interest in developing decorative versions of spindle whorls during the Medieval period, compared to the decorative examples known from the Roman and Saxon periods. Although decorated examples are known from the Medieval period, it seems more likely that such a decorative example is earlier and this artefact probably therefore dates to the Roman or Anglo-Saxon period. | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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