Spindle

About this object

History of use

For spinning fibres such as wool or cotton.

Narrative

Purchased as a set; said to be from the 10th century.

Cultural context

textile production

Physical description

Set of five spindles, each a long segment of wood tapered at the ends with a brown finish. Part b: painted with a black and off-white geometric design at the centre and has light brown string wound around one end; part c: has a series of thin bands incised into the wood towards one end; part d: has light brown thread wound around the centre; part e: has a series of alternating off-white and reddish-brown bands at the centre; part f: has light brown yarn and red string wound around it; part g: a coil of light brown thread that tapers at the ends.