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Description: | An undatable but probably Medieval lead hemi-spherical spindle whorl, measuring 27.41mm in diameter at its base and standing 10.56mm in height. It weighs 37.9g.The piercing at the base has worn-smooth edges and measures c.9.2mm in diameter. This narrows to c.8mm in diameter at the apex. Around the curving surface are possibly the remains of riased decoration in the form of vertical lines, but which are now lost.It has been pointed out that the weight of a spindle whorl is suggestive 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, 184). It can be suggested, therefore, that this artefact was used in the spinning of wool. The dating of unstratified spindle whorls is very difficult, although Egan (1998, 256) notes that spindle whorls were more highly decorated during the Roman and Saxon periods compared to the 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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