Large Eastern Roman Bronze Bust-Shaped Steelyard Weight

CIRCA 3RD-4TH CENTURY A.D. OR LATER

5 1/4 in. (4.2 kg, 13.5 cm high).

Modelled in the round as a facing female with head turned slightly right, with semi-naturalistic facial detailing and dressed hair; lead-filled.

Provenance

Acquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.

Literature

See Biddle, M. & Henig, M., A Jupiter temple (?) outside the west gate of Venta Belgarum and the development of Winchester’s western suburb, London, 2018; Allason-Jones, L. & Miket, R., Catalogue of Small Finds from South Shields Roman Fort, Gloucester, 1984.

Footnotes

Steelyard weights in the form of human or deities faces were not uncommon in the Roman period (see SWYOR-DA4426, OXON-4391B5, HAMP-BD4D67 and NARC-7A7B81 on the PAS). These were generally filled with lead and had iron or copper suspension loops projecting from the top of the head.

CONDITION

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LOT 0586