Ancient Gallo Roman Bronze Steelyard Weight (200 to 300 Gallo Roman)

Bronze

This bronze figure once acted as a counterweight for a steelyard balance and was probably used in a market or shop. The scale pan hung from the shorter arm of the balance, and the counterweight hung from a loop, which freely moved along a graduated scale along the longer arm. There were usually two alternative positions of the fulcrum and two corresponding graduated scales reading from 1 to 14 and from 10 to 50.
Standard weights and measures were a very important feature of the Roman commercial system. The official standards were laid down in Rome and became the point of reference for the whole of the ancient trading empire.

An Ancient Gallo Roman Bronze Steelyard Weight Depicting a Male Figure in a Roman belted tunic with a Chlamys fastened at his shoulder
The back of the head pierced for suspension
Old dark green smooth patination
2nd – 3rd Century AD

Size: 13cm high – 5 ins high – 15.5cm high – 6 ins high (with base)

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