Whorls
Item
Title
Whorls
Spindle Whorls
Possibly North African or Cypriot
Probably late 19th century
Terra Cotta
Possibly North African or Cypriot
Probably late 19th century
Terra Cotta
How do you know you’ve found a spindle whorl and not just a bead?
Whorls are rarely spherical. More often biconic.
They often are decorated on just one conic side (usually the top). The decoration will often reference, or be animated by, attributes of rotational movement.
The hole through the center is big enough for a spindle to go through, not just a string.
Whorls are usually, though not always, bigger than beads.
Whorls are rarely spherical. More often biconic.
They often are decorated on just one conic side (usually the top). The decoration will often reference, or be animated by, attributes of rotational movement.
The hole through the center is big enough for a spindle to go through, not just a string.
Whorls are usually, though not always, bigger than beads.