Steelyard Weight with a Bust of a Byzantine Empress and a Hook
Artwork Details
- Title: Steelyard Weight with a Bust of a Byzantine Empress and a Hook
- Date: 400–450
- Culture: Byzantine
- Medium: Copper alloy, filled with lead, brass hook
- Dimensions: 9 1/2 × 4 1/2 × 2 13/16 in., 12.5 lb. (24.2 × 11.5 × 7.1 cm, 5664g)
Other (Hook): 8 7/8 × 3 × 1 1/4 × 1/4 in., 0.4 lb. (22.6 × 7.6 × 3.2 × 0.7 cm, 176g) - Classification: Metalwork-Copper alloy
- Credit Line: Purchase, Gifts of J. Pierpont Morgan, Mrs. Robert J. Levy, Mr. and Mrs. Frederic B. Pratt, George Blumenthal, Coudert Brothers and Mrs. Lucy W. Drexel, by exchange; Bequest of George Blumenthal and Theodore M. Davis Collection, Bequest of Theodore M. Davis, by exchange; and Rogers Fund, 1980
- Object Number: 1980.416a, b
- Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters
Audio
2810. Steelyard Weight with the Bust of a Woman
Weights in the shape of empresses were very popular in the Early Byzantine era. This weight is made of bronze and filled with lead. It’s cast in the form of the bust of an unidentified empress of the fifth century. Her hairstyle, clothing and general appearance are similar to the empresses Galla Placidia and Pulcheria. You can see their portraits on gold coins in this case.
Many similar weights look out with a vacant gaze. But here, the Empress’ face, hair and jewelry are all carefully modeled, and her eyes seem almost alive. She has an elaborate hairstyle. Strands of pearls hang from her jeweled diadem, and she wears a gem-and-pearl-studded necklace, indicating the prosperity of the empire.
Weights symbolized honesty and truth for the merchant and trust and reliability for the buyer. They tended to be cast in figures of the imperial family of Constantinople to represent the imperial guarantee. Earlier, weights were frequently cast in the figure of Athena, the Greek goddess of intellect.
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