Three Medieval Spindle Whorls

Used with a wood rod to provide inertia to spin thread or cord from combed wool, flax or cotton. Heavier weights were used for coarser fibers and producing thicker cordage. There is no typology for these and some sources date the lead type to the Roman period. Archaeological evidence places them throughout the Medieval period, through about 1300. Three examples: stone just under 1" diameter, probably Coptic Egyptian, lead 3/4" of classic zigzag design, Roman to medieval and lead, 5/8" diameter with line design. Three pieces.