Spindle Whorl

Unknown

9th–10th century · Bone; incised and inlaid with paint · Islamic Art

Spindle whorls aided in the making of thread by maintaining the momentum of the spindle. This semi-spherical bone spindle whorl was excavated at Nishapur. The area surrounding the central hole is incised with triangular motifs, arranged radially. Along the bottom edge is a ring of four large dot-in-circles connected by double lines. 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; incised and inlaid with paint

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1940