Record

Spindle Whorls

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From Cairnconan, Angus; Freswick Sands, Caithness; Muirfield, East Lothian; Coalhill, Ayrshire

Postcard of Spindle Whorls.
000-100-040-677-C
© National Museums Scotland

Spindle Whorls

Pictured here are stone spindle whorls from Cairnconan in Angus and Freswick Sand in Caithness, a bone example from Muirfield in East Lothian and a ceramic example from Coalhill in Ayrshire. They were used between 200 BC and 200 AD.

The spindle whorls are of different shapes, but all have central perforations where the wool was tied on. The top example, from Freswick Sands has seven small cup-like depressions on one face and six on the other.

Spindle whorls were hung at the end of wool, to act as a flywheel as it was spun into yarn using a spindle. They occur in a range of shapes and materials, as illustrated here. Spindle whorls are often the only evidence preserved of spinning.


Record details

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Online ID: 000-100-040-677-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0098: National Museums Scotland
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.HR 882
Date: Between 200 BC and 200 AD
Material: Bone; domical; perforated
Clay, baked
Sandstone
Sandstone, grey; rough; seven cups on one face and six on the other
Dimensions: 1.38" D
1.38" D
1.50" D x 0.94" thick
What: Spindle whorl
Spindle whorl
Spindle whorl
Spindle whorl
Subject:
Who:
Where: Scotland, Angus, Cairnconan
Scotland, Ayrshire, Dalry, Coalhill
Scotland, Caithness, Freswick Sands (Broch)
Scotland, East Lothian, Gullane, Muirfield
Event:
Description: Spindle whorl of rough grey sandstone with seven cups on one face and six on the other, from Freswick Sands
Stone spindle whorl from Cairnconan, Angus
Ceramic spindle whorl from Coalhill, Ayrshire
Bone spindle whorl from Muirfield, East Lothian
References:
Translations:
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