Copper-alloy couching needle. From WP 1963-71, Wolvesey Palace, Winchester, Hampshire.

Copper alloy couching needle

Medieval

Found during excavations by the Winchester Excavations Committee at Wolvesey Palace, Winchester in 1967

This type of needle was used for large scale embroidery on canvas. The embroiderer would hold the object so that the head could be pushed with the palm of the hand, and the thread, having passed through the material would be picked up by a second needle on the other side. For more information, see Professor Martin Biddle's (1990) book, Winchester Studies 7.ii, Object and Economy in Medieval Winchester, catalogue numbers 2523 and 2524.