Three Medieval Spindle Whorls

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Used with a wood rod to provide inertia to spin thread or cord from combed wool, flax or cotton. Heavier weights were used for coarser fibers and producing thicker cordage. There i s no typology for these and some sources date the lead type to the Roman period. Archaeological evidence places them throughout the Medieval period, through about 1300. Three examples: stone just under 1" diameter, probably Coptic Egyptian, lead 3/4" of classic zigzag design, Roman to medieval and lead, 5/8" diameter with line design. Three pieces. Show more