Spindle Whorl

Unknown

9th–10th century · Bone; tinted, inlaid · Islamic Art

Spindle whorls aided in the making of thread by maintaining the momentum of the spindle. This maroon toned semi-spherical spindle whorl with a slightly concave bottom was excavated at Nishapur. Its decorative aspects are incised into the bone and inlaid with blue, red, and green paste. There is an incised line around the central hole and on the main body, two incised inscriptions, merging into the shape of a small bird comprised of dot-in-circles, lines, and dots. Hundreds of spindle whorls were excavated at Nishapur, providing further evidence that the city possessed a thriving textile industry. Their incised designs exhibit a wide variety of motifs ranging from geometric forms to zoomorphic figures.

Artist

Unknown

Date

9th–10th century

Medium

Bone; tinted, inlaid

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1938