Saxon & Medieval — Early Saxon; 6th century
Spindle whorl or bead
Until the invention of the spinning wheel in the late 1200s, wool was spun into thread by hand. A hank of wool was drawn out, and the end attached to a stick called a spindle, which was kept spinning by a heavy circular weight called a spindle whorl. This whorl was found in a woman's grave in a Saxon cemetery in Mitcham. Saxon women spun woollen thread and wove cloth to make clothes for the family.
- Category:
- Saxon & Medieval
- Object ID:
- A20125
- Object name:
- Spindle whorl or bead
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- —
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- Early Saxon; 6th century
- Material:
glass
- Measurements/duration:
- H 12 mm, DM 40 mm (overall)
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.