Saxon & Medieval — Early Medieval; mid-late 13th century
Weight, steelyard weight
Globular steelyard weight of copper alloy, with a lead core. There is a triangular suspension lug on top and an incised decorative band around top. Below this band are three shields cast in relief with arms as follows: a) double-headed eagle, b) lion rampant, c) three lions passant guardant. These are the arms of Richard, Earl of Cornwall (brother of King Henry III), who died in 1272, or his son Edmund. Richard became 'King of the Romans' (the Holy Roman Empire of Germany) in 1257 and this weight also bears the German double-headed eagle. This weight would have been used on a steelyard balance. These were often used by merchants to measure the weight of goods.
- Category:
- Saxon & Medieval
- Object ID:
- 2008.134
- Object name:
- weight, steelyard weight
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- —
- Related people:
- —
- Related events:
- —
- Related places:
- —
- Production date:
- Early Medieval; mid-late 13th century
- Material:
- copper alloy, lead alloy
- Measurements/duration:
- H 58 mm, DM 54 mm, WT 674 g (overall)
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 80%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Credit:
- —
- Copyright holder:
- digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.