Spindle whorls acted as weights to keep hand-turned spindles rotating. Before European contact, native people made yarn by spinning fibres such as hair from mountain goats and dogs. Stone spindle whorls are rare, and this example may date from early in the historic period. The design shows three "lightening snakes," or mythical serpents coiling around the central hole, while disembodied eyes fill the remaining spaces. The reverse face shows only unattached eyes, seemingly whirling in space.
Courtesy: University of British Columbia Museum of Anthropology
