Egyptian, Coptic Period, ca. 3rd to 6th century CE. An interesting spindle whorl bead carved from a red-brown hardstone. The upper face is slightly convex, and the verso is smooth and flat. The center has a drilled circular perforation and a series of linear, crosshatching, and concentric circles etched into the face that create a 6-pointed star. Spindle whorls are discoid or spherical implements that can be carved from a variety of weighted materials such as stone, pottery, bone, or wood to fit on a spindle to increase and maintain spinning speed when creating thread. Size: 2.125" Diameter (5.4 cm)

Provenance: private Toronto, Ontario, Canada collection, by descent, acquired in Egypt in 1894 to 1896

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#167190

Loss and chips to verso face. Surface wear as well as abrasions and light mineral deposits across most surfaces. Nice preservation to linear motifs.