Spindle Whorl

Unknown

9th–10th century · Bone; incised · Islamic Art

Spindle whorls aided in the making of thread by maintaining the momentum of the spindle. This flat bottomed spindle whorl was excavated at Nishapur. The slightly convex shape is decorated with a thin incision around the central hole to delineate the raised collar from the body, from which double incised lines forming angles that radiate outward, similar to a star design. 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

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1940