Spindle whorl

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A spindle whorl was used in spinning wool, hung at the end of a spindle to act as a fly wheel. This steatite example was found in a Norse woman's grave at Reay in Caithness, together with a range of other grave goods. The burial dates from between 900 and 1000.

The steatite was carved into a curved dome. It was a popular material for Scandinavians, who were used to its properties from Norway, and exploited the outcrops in Shetland when they settled there.

Viking women, especially those coming from a Norwegian home or background, were buried with a wide array of ornaments and tools, many relating to textile production. Spindle whorls are often the only evidence preserved of spinning.

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• Online ID: 000-100-043-822-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.IL 338
• Date: Between 900 and 1000
  
• Material: Steatite; plano-convex in section
  Whorl
  
• Dimensions: 1.00" D
  
• What: Whorl
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Caithness, Reay
  
• Event:
• Description: Steatite whorl from Reay, Caithness
  
• References:
  • Graham-Campbell, James and Batey, Colleen E. Vikings in Scotland. An Archaeological Survey. Edinburgh: University Press, 1998, pp 125-6. 
  • Grieg, Sigurd. Viking Antiquities in Scotland (=Viking Antiquities in Great Britain and Ireland, Part II, ed. by Haakon Shetelig). Oslo: H. Aschehoug & Co., 1940, pp. 10-1. 
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