Product Description
c.8th-9th Century A.D. A rare and excellent Anglo Saxon carved and decorated Bone Spindle Whorl (used for spinning yarn) found in the 1970's on a known Anglo Saxon habitation site in Thetford, Norfolk and from an old Norfolk collection. Skilfully fashioned from the head of a large cattle femur leg bone with a flat top and bottom and neatly carved and rounded sides, all surfaces then copiously hand engraved with repeating annulet designs; a large centrally bored hole for insertion of a long wooden shaft, to the end of which natural woollen fibres would have been attached and the whole assembly then spun to form yarn in readiness for weaving. A tiny knock to one edge - not detracting, otherwise excellent, intact and stable with good surfaces and ageing. A good sized and appealing engraved example, scarce, 38mm diameter x 15mm high.
