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Description: | A cast lead spindle whorl of unusual type, being of a fairly typical plano-convex shape except with four lugs extending from the centre. These lugs are not evenly distributed around the sub-circular centre, but occur in pairs opposite each other. It is unclear whether these lugs are functional or decorative although they do have moulded ribs for decoration. Other decoration on the centre of the object also includes moulded ribs and dots, although the spindle whorl is worn and making out a discernible pattern is not easy. The decoration appears to take the form of moulded triangles formed by ribs and interspersed by moulded dots, at least on one side of the object. The lugs each measure approximately 9.3 mm in length and are approximately 5.5 mm thick. The sub-circular perforation in the centre of the whorl is 9.2 mm in diameter. A flash from the casting of the object runs around the centre of the object. Including the lugs, the object measures 33.8 mm in length and 21.7 mm wide. It is 11.3 mm thick. The diameter of the central sub-circular section (excluding the lugs) is 21.7 mm. The spindle whorl measures 22.9 grams in weight. It now has a pale cream patina.Although this example is unusual, at least one similar example has been recorded on the PAS database - CPAT-EED077. Spindle whorls are difficult to date in general as they were in use for a wide period of time. As this example comes from an unstratified context and there appear to be no other known examples from excavated contexts it is difficult to ascertain a date for the object. It may therefore date from as early as the Roman period through to the post-medieval period.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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