Medieval spining whorl of clay

Replica of a medieval / Viking clay spinning whorl.

Here you can buy a medieval clay spinning whorl, crafted according to historical models.

A Viking-era find from Birka, Sweden, served as the model for this medieval spinning whorl.

Conical clay spinning whorls were widely used by the Vikings. There were also round-shaped spindle whorls.

Link to the originalen spinning whorl...

The Viking spindle whorl measures approx. 4 x 2.5 cm and has a tapered hole measuring approx. 1 to 1.5 cm.

---

Early finds of spinning whorls date back as far as around 6000 BC. From the Neolithic period onwards, spinning was carried out exclusively using hand spindles. It was not until the High Middle Ages that the first primitive hand-operated spinning wheels appeared.

There are many differences between modern spinning with a hand spindle and the medieval method. Unlike most modern spindles, the shaft and spindle whorl of medieval spindles were not firmly attached to one another.

In the Middle Ages, spindle whorls were mostly made of clay, antler and bone. Soapstone was also used. The spindle whorl was simply slipped onto the tapered shaft from below. This had the advantage that, when spinning a larger quantity of yarn, the weight could be reduced by using a lighter whorl, or the spindle whorl could be removed entirely once the spindle was full.