Loom weight with Spinning Owl
3rd–2nd century B.C.
Hemispherical loom weight with two holes. On the front (worn), an owl with wings, feet and arms. The extra limbs allow it to hold a distaff and spin wool from a conical basket represented below the spindle. Despite the owl's association with Athens, loom weights with a spinning owl appear to be a unique characteristic of the southern Italian peninsula.
The loom weight has pink-to-red clay with lime inclusions, small mica and red inclusions, and traces of white slip.
The loom weight has pink-to-red clay with lime inclusions, small mica and red inclusions, and traces of white slip.
Images courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (CC0)