Viking Era Bone Spindle whorl
Open for bids in 19min
Starting bid
€ 1
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 210 - € 250
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Description from the seller
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Ancient Viking bone spindle whorl, carved in a domed circular form with a central perforation. The surface is decorated with a series of finely incised concentric rings.
-> In the Viking Age, spindle whorls were essential tools of everyday domestic life and textile production. Spinning was a fundamental household activity, as yarn was needed for clothing, sails, cords and other necessities. Whorls were made from materials such as stone, bone, antler, clay and occasionally lead, and they occur very frequently on Viking settlements, showing how widespread and important spinning was.
Because textile production was such a central part of Norse daily life and economy, spindle whorls are often seen as characteristic objects of Viking domestic culture, closely connected with the work of women in particular.
Diameter: ± 34,8 mm
Height: ± 10,8 mm
Condition: good solid condition, the surface displays a warm creamy bone tone with visible signs of wear and some darker staining around some remains of iron in the central hole. The incised linear decorations remain clearly visible.
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> Spinning was carried out by attaching fibres, such as wool or flax, to a spindle fitted with a whorl that acted as a weight. As the spindle was set in motion, it twisted the fibres into a continuous thread, with the whorl helping to maintain momentum and even tension. The thickness of the thread could be controlled by the spinner, making it possible to produce yarns of varying quality for different types of textiles.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Ancient Viking bone spindle whorl, carved in a domed circular form with a central perforation. The surface is decorated with a series of finely incised concentric rings.
-> In the Viking Age, spindle whorls were essential tools of everyday domestic life and textile production. Spinning was a fundamental household activity, as yarn was needed for clothing, sails, cords and other necessities. Whorls were made from materials such as stone, bone, antler, clay and occasionally lead, and they occur very frequently on Viking settlements, showing how widespread and important spinning was.
Because textile production was such a central part of Norse daily life and economy, spindle whorls are often seen as characteristic objects of Viking domestic culture, closely connected with the work of women in particular.
Diameter: ± 34,8 mm
Height: ± 10,8 mm
Condition: good solid condition, the surface displays a warm creamy bone tone with visible signs of wear and some darker staining around some remains of iron in the central hole. The incised linear decorations remain clearly visible.
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> Spinning was carried out by attaching fibres, such as wool or flax, to a spindle fitted with a whorl that acted as a weight. As the spindle was set in motion, it twisted the fibres into a continuous thread, with the whorl helping to maintain momentum and even tension. The thickness of the thread could be controlled by the spinner, making it possible to produce yarns of varying quality for different types of textiles.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Details
Culture
Viking Era
Century/timeframe
9th-10th century AD
Name of object
Spindle whorl
Acquired from
Antique market
Year acquired
2026
Material
Bone
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Previous owner - year acquired
2026
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
