Spindle whorle

Spindle whorl of grey-brown, slate-like rock with runes and rune-like signs on both sides and along the edges. The inscriptions do not create a meaning, which above all indicates that they are made on an old object. On one side is inscribed fnsutlʀ (unclear where the inscription begins). On the other side is inscribed horaiþ (with the þ rune inverted). On this side there are traces of other signs between the runes. Under the microscope the lines are seen to not be deeply engraved, which suggests a more recent origin. The whorl itself is, however, definitely from the early Viking Age, but taking into account the engravings, the find must be a forgery. It is impossible to say when the engraving was added, but it may well have been done to increase the value of the object when the whorl was handed over to the Swedish History Museum in exchange for payment in 1931. Similar frauds have been identified previously. Found during in digging for waterpipes, Trånghalla Farmstead, Bankeryd Parish, Småland.

Image rights: Ola Myrin, Historiska museet/SHM (CC BY 4.0)

Object number: 1092910_HST

<   1 of 11  >