Spindle Whorl Item Number: Nbz900 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Rounded, wooden disc with a hole perforating the center. One surface is slightly concave and the other is slightly convex. The convex surface has two darkened parallel lines along one side. Both sides have small chisel marks on their surfaces. The wood is a red-brown colour with darkened areas.

History Of Use

Homer Barnett (1955) notes that spindle whorls used by the southern Coast Salish of British Columbia are larger than those used in the north, with a shaft that is twice as long as the whorl. In the north, fibres were spun on smaller whorls that were "twirled between the leg and palm (1955:118)." By contrast, whorls such as this one were used to spin fibres that were suspended from overhead. This arrangement created a tension in the roving. Johnson and Bernick (1986) report that traditionally several different techniques were used for turning the spindle, however, contemporary weavers now make use of a spinning machine that is similar in appearance to a treadle sewing machine.

Narrative

Purchased by the collector at Koksilah.

Cultural Context

weaving; spinning

Specific Techniques

Made from a square piece of wood which had its corners rounded to create this circular object.

Item History

What

Name
Spindle Whorl
Identification Number
Nbz900
Type of Item
spindle whorl
Material
wood
Manufacturing Technique
carved
Overall
height 1.4 cm, width 19.9 cm, depth 19.6 cm

Who

Culture
Coast Salish: Quwutsun'
Previous Owner
Thomas R. Richardson and Frances M. Richardson
Received from
Frances M. Richardson (Donor)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
British Columbia, Canada
Collected in
Koksilah, British Columbia, Canada

When

Ownership Date
before 1998 and before November 18, 1998
Acquisition Date
on November 18, 1998

Other

Condition
good
Current Location
Case 2
Accession Number
1768/0045