Find Spot record 1083/0/33 - Spindle Whorl from Middlewich

<1> Portable Antiquities Scheme, Various, Portable Antiquities Data Import, LVPL-E59051 (Digital Archive). SCH5212.

A complete cast lead or lead alloy discoidal (flat) decorated spindle whorl, of Roman to Post Medieval date (43-1650 AD).

The spindle whorl is sub circular in plan, and rectangular in cross section. Both the upper and the lower face has been decorated with a raised six (6) pointed star design, formed of two interlocking triangles (Star of St David). The central hole is circular in shape and has been cast approximately centrally. The internal diameter of the hole measures 8.75mm wide.

The whorl has a diameter of 24.13mm and is 8.44mm thick. It weighs 24.5 grams.

The whorl is of a light to mid grey colour, with an even surface patina. Few signs of abrasion, damaging the patina, are present.

Spindle whorls, as an artefact type, can be hard to date accurately as they remained in use for a long period of time, however lead alloy spindle whorls of this type are normally attributed to the Medieval period (c. 1100 to 1450 AD). The weight of the spindle whorl is suggestive of a thick linen or wool fibre being spun, as there is a direct relationship between the weight of the whorl and the thickness of the resulting thread. Fine threads such as silk require a lighter whorl than those used to spun wool or linen.

Several similar spindlewhorls decorated with a Star of David design have been recorded on the PAS database including: YORYM-D670B5 from North Yorkshire; DENO-5b32F4, SWYOR-4993C1 & SWYOR-CF9818 from South Yorkshire; LVPL-799683, DENO-79B024 & WMID-187B76 from Derbyshire; LEIC-052555 from Lincolnshire and DENO-FF2C04 from Nottinghamshire.

<2> The British Museum, Portable Antiquities Scheme Online Database, LVPL-E59051 (Web Site). SCH5176.