The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of May 15, 2026

A mottled tan bone spindle whorl forms a thick, circular ring around a cavernous opening. Repeating clusters of carved circles and linear grooves texture the outer surface. Light glints off the smooth, aged material, highlighting weathered cracks and minor chips. The warm, light brown surface curves inward toward the central void, its hand-carved patterns rhythmically encircling the empty space.

Spindle Whorl

700s - 900s

Iran, early Islamic period

bone, incised
Overall: 0.7 x 1.4 x 1.4 cm (1/4 x 9/16 x 9/16 in.)
Gift of Edward Gans 1962.341
Location: Not on view
  • Ernst Herzfeld.
  • Year in Review (1963). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (November 27, 1963-January 5, 1964).
  • {{cite web|title=Spindle Whorl|url=false|author=|year=700s - 900s|access-date=15 May 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1962.341