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Description: | A lead alloy spindle whorl of probably Medieval or Post Medieval date. The whorl is circular and slightly plano-convex but with straight sides. The central hole is 9.08mm in diameter and there is no aperture in the side wall of the hole. The whorl is 29.37mm in diameter. The interesting feature on the whorl is its decoration which consists of a series of symbols cast in relief. On one face reading clockwise is: a large raised square; a possible quatrefoil (damaged); a cross pattee; a small cross with a pellet in the centre; a heart; a shield with a chevron on it (top outwards); a possible comma; a letter B; and a letter A. On the other face, reading clockwise round the whorl is: An O with radiating lines; a complicated symbol looking rather like an anchor joined to a semicircle divided into three segments; an arrow, pheon or shuttlecock; a symbol looking like a reverse lower case h; a goblet or hourglass; a symbol consisting of an upward pointing chevron (base outwards), the left stroke of which continues upwards then bends 90 degrees to the right, with another line extending diagonally downward to the left from the centre of the symbol, terminating with a dot; a diagonal line with a fork at each end; a cross pattee; and finally an naught (0) joined to the cross by a line. The symbols do not appear to be lettering or runes, though they could be blundered copying of letters. Other whorls with similar symbols include NLM-72FFC4 which has the inscription [heart] WILLIAM; NLM-5B02D7 which has hearts and pellets; and LVPL-9F9737 which has hearts and other marks. The whorl has a creamy patina. Whorls are very difficult to date but the style of the symbols suggest a late medieval or Post Medieval date.Of further interest is another whorl which has exactly the same design (with allowance for damage) which is PAS record number: SWYOR-D84976. They are certainly the same design, and may be from the same mould; though the parallel is crisper with the edges of the symbols being less rounded and thinner, this could be as a result of the mould becoming worn.
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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