Roman Bronze Steelyard Balance

£ 75.00

A Roman steelyard balance cast in bronze featuring a thin rod ending in a hook with a loop at the top connecting to a second slightly shorter rod. An additional hook is attached through a loop, green patination covers the surface.

Date: Circa 1st-2nd century AD
Period: Roman Imperial
Condition: Very fine condition.

SOLD

SKU: LD-271 Category: Tag:

Steelyard balances were used to indicate the weights of objects ranging from ounces to tons. The piece would consist of a beam suspended by a fulcrum, located further down one end. Hooks, much like this fine example, would hang at this end and a counterweight at the other. The hooks would hold the objects while the counterweight would be moved along the beam to the different incised measuring points until the two arms of the beam were balanced.

Weight 8 g
Dimensions L 17.1 cm
Culture

Metal

Region

Reference: For a similar item,The Metropolitan Museum, item 22.139.14