Toy Quern (Piece)

Querns are stone handmills used for grinding corn. This sandstone disc is the upper stone of a miniature quern which was probably used as a toy. The disc was found at Jarlshof in Shetland and dates from between 900 and 1000.

The disc has a vertical slot in the side for a handle and a rind socket on its lower face for an attachment which would prevent it from slipping off the lower stone.

Several miniature quern- and millstones were found at Jarlshof, and the use of everyday equipment as models for toys seems to be characteristic of the Viking period. However, miniature quern- and millstones are rare outside Shetland.

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