Wooden Box with Bronze Balance Scale

Unknown

500–600 · Wooden box and copper alloy scale · Medieval Art

Scales such as these were used throughout the Byzantine world to measure money and other lightweight objects. According to Byzantine law, the suspension cord of the scales was to be held by two fingers of one hand, with the other fingers straight to ensure that no undue pressure was placed on the scales. The wooden storage container protected the delicate balance of the mechanism.

Artist

Unknown

Date

500–600

Medium

Wooden box and copper alloy scale

Culture

Coptic

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1914