16. bis 18. Jahrhundert führen Sammlung von Spindelgewichten (Ohne mindestpreis)

17th–18th Century Collection of Lead Spindle Whorls

Culture / Period: 17th - 18th century
Date / Period: 17th - 18th century
Material: Lead
Dimensions: 14 - 23 mm
Condition: Good condition

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Provenance information:
Object Registration ID: 879

The current owner (S.N.J. S.) purchased the spindle whorls collection from R.H. G. in Dordrecht.

The previous owner, R.H. G. from Dordrecht (The Netherlands), stated that the objects had been in his collection since the 1990s.

According to the previous owner, the objects had previously been in a private collection in The Netherlands since the 1990s.

No further information concerning the earlier ownership history of the objects was available from the previous owner.

Background Information:
This collection consists of lead spindle whorls dating to the 17th–18th century. Spindle whorls were small weights fitted onto a spindle and used during the hand-spinning of fibres such as wool, flax and hemp into thread or yarn.

Their purpose was to add weight and momentum to the spindle, helping it rotate more evenly and for longer periods. The resulting thread could subsequently be used for weaving, sewing and the production of clothing and other textiles. Spinning remained an important domestic activity during the Early Modern period, particularly before mechanised textile production became widespread.

Lead was well suited to spindle whorls because its high density allowed a relatively small object to provide sufficient weight. Such pieces were generally cast, with a central perforation through which the wooden spindle was inserted.

These modest implements represent the practical tools behind textile production in the 17th and 18th centuries and provide a tangible connection to everyday domestic work and the production of clothing and textiles during the period.