Archaeological Museum of Bologna

This bronze spindle is a rare and sophisticated version of the basic tool for spinning wool and other fibres, probably for an exclusively ceremonial purpose.

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In general, spindles were wooden and had a small terracotta weight – the whorl – fitted at the bottom end, which improved its rotatory motion.

Spindle whorls are constantly discovered in women’s sepulchres, where they are inhumed with wooden spindles, which are not preserved, as symbols of women’s housekeeping chores.

Some notably sumptuous women’s sepulchres present bronze spinning tools.

Provenance: Bologna, Benacci-Caprara Necropolis, tomb 56
Datation: 750 - 720 B.C.
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: height: 24,6 cm.
Inventory #: 23533