Spindle Whorls

Spindle whorls, made from clay and stone, found in Mali and Guinea Conakry ... used originally as weights for traditional cotton spinning.  Somewhat fragile but very interesting.
Examples have been found that were in use before 1,000 BC. The remains of the individual original patterns are still visible on many of these beads despite their previous long term usage.

Click HERE for a pictorial article on the Making of Modern Spindle Whorls in Mali
Click HERE for some interesting information on their original intended use in spinning
and HERE for some "Mini-Whorl" necklaces.
For a superb YouTube Video demonstration .. click HERE

From Guinea Conakry
A  16 ins / 40 cm strand of large whorls in a variety of intricately hand-carved patterns ... some almost worn away from years of use and erosion in the desert sands. Solid, heavy and beautiful examples of the practical use, both now and then, of one of the largest beads made in Africa.
 Largest whorl 32 x 37 mm
mcw 235-01   £45   Sold

An old
spindle whorl
on its original Wooden stick as used by the peoples of Mali and Guinea Conakry
for centuries.
Stick tapering from 4 to 10 mm
 8 ins / 20 cm
in length
Whorl 27 x 33 mm

For reference only

From Mali
A  20 ins / 50 cm strand of graduated whorls in a variety
of sizes and patterns. Some designs are worn and a very few have slight damage from years of use and erosion in the
sands of the Sahara Desert.

Solid and heavy ..
this strand weighs 450 grams.

Very suitable as examples for Museum displays or Lectures
 to show the practical use, both now and then, of one of the largest beads made in Africa.
 Largest whorl 32 x 43 mm
mcw 235-03   £55

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