Spindle whorls

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When spinning wool, a spindle whorl was placed on a spindle, to act, by its weight, as a flywheel. These two lead examples were found in the area of the Royal Nurseries to the north east of Craigmillar Castle in Edinburgh. They date from the 17th century.

The disc-shaped whorl on the left is decorated with a star pattern. The one on the right is also disc-shaped but is now misshapen.

Spindle whorls occur in a range of shapes and materials and are often the only preserved evidence of spinning. Whorls made the spindle rotate easily, while it was still unloaded with yarn.

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• Online ID: 000-190-004-122-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.1992.220
• Date: 17th century
  17th century
  
• Material: Lead, cast; disc-shaped, mis-shapen
  Lead, cast; disc-shaped. Inscription: [Star pattern]
  Whorl, spindle
  Whorl, spindle
  
• Dimensions: 25 mm D
  30 mm D
  
• What: Whorl, spindle
  Whorl, spindle
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh, Craigmillar (Area of Royal Nurseries NE of Craigmillar Castle)
  Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh, Craigmillar (Area of Royal Nurseries NE of Craigmillar Castle)
  
• Event:
• Description: Disc-shaped, cast lead spindle whorl with star pattern, found in the area of the Royal Nurseries to the north east of Craigmillar Castle, Edinburgh, Midlothian, 17th century
  Mis-shapen, disc-shaped cast lead spindle whorl, found in the area of the Royal Nurseries to the north east of Craigmillar Castle, Edinburgh, Midlothian, 17th century
  
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