The art of weaving was carried to a high degree of perfection by many of
the American races, but the processes employed were of the simplest
kind. The threads were spun upon wooden spindles weighted with whorls of
baked clay. These whorls are not plentiful in the graves of Chiriqui,
but such as have been collected are quite similar in style to those of
Mexico and Peru. In Figs. 218, 219, and 220 we have three examples
modeled with considerable attention to detail but comparatively rude in
finish. They are in the natural color of the baked clay and are but
rudely polished. The first is encircled by a line of rough, indented
nodes, the second is embellished with homely little animal figures, and
the third with incised patterns and rude incisions.
[Illustration: Fig. 218. Spindle whorl in gray clay decorated with
annular nodes--1/1.]
[Illustration: Fig. 219. Spindle whorl of gray clay with animal
figures--1/1.]
[Illustration: Fig. 220. Spindle whorl of dark clay with
perforations and incised ornament--1/1.]