Technical Description
A bronze polyhedral trade weight dating to the Byzantine period, 8th - 13th century. Produced in the Islamic region of the Umayyad, Abbasid and Seljuk dynasties. Made from a copper alloy (heavily leaded bronze). Similar to those excavated in Aqaba, Jordan and Southern Anatolia (Turkey).
The weight features concentric circles with a sunken centre on the top and bottom; an additional 5 rows of 40 facets envelop the body and are full of ‘bird’s eye’ annulet motifs, the high number of facets makes this a more uncommon example. Weighs 29.2g which corresponds to ten dirhems or 7 mithqal. A particularly fine example with a deep golden-brown patina.
Date & Origin
Byzantine Anatolia, 8th - 13th century CE, c750 - c1299.
Condition
Well preserved, with mild salmon-hued encrustation and a beautiful golden-brown patina.
Dimensions
Height: 1.6cm
Diameter: 2cm
Historical Context
Produced around the time of the Macedonian Renaissance in Anatolia and the Holy Land Crusades over the following centuries.
Documented Examples
The MET has given a date range of 750 - 1050 CE, however, this covers a range of weights. The Anatolian Civilizations Museum in Ankara has given the earliest estimate as the 10th century CE.
MET: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/478112
Anatolian Civilizations Museum: https://journals.openedition.org/anatoliaantiqua/383
