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Description: | A lead plano-convex spindle whorl. The spindle whorl is 32.81 mm in diameter with a central perforation that is 8.32 mm in diameter. Both sides of the whorl are decorated, four regularly spaced circular dots in relief, the other with regular lines that expand at an angle from the central perforation to the edge. 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 43.1 grams, so it seems likely that it would have been used to spin a heavy material such as wool. The dating of unstratified Spindle whorls is very difficult as they were used throughout history. 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 is perhaps more likely that such a decorative example is earlier and this artefact may therefore date to the Roman or Anglo-Saxon period, although this is far from certain.
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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