Three Round Copper-Alloy Balance Weights with Crosses

Unknown

8th–9th century · Copper alloy · Medieval Art

These objects are decorated with a cross and their respective weights in Greek initials-six ounces, two ounces, and one ounce-within a herringbone wreath. Most round weights were turned on a lathe, but the smallest of these three appears to have been cast in a mold instead. In Byzantium, precise measurement of goods was achieved by a set of standard balance weights.

Artist

Unknown

Date

8th–9th century

Medium

Copper alloy

Culture

Byzantine

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Purchase, Christopher C. Grisanti and Suzanne P. Fawbush, and Alastair B. Martin Gifts, 2002