This is a Viking spindle whorl dating to about 900-1000 AD, found in England where the Vikings occupied nearly half of the island. It is essentially a small fly wheel for a hand held wood rod which was spun to wind the thread and also served to store the wound thread. Spinning whorls were used by nearly all ancient civilizations and made from a variety of materials of which lead was the most efficient. This one is lead, 0.73"(18.6mm) diameter and in condition as shown. Check our auctions for other Viking items. We bought all that we could in the 1980s when, surprisingly, there was less interest in Viking items than Roman.