Steelyard Weight with the Bust of Athena

5th–7th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 301

Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom, could often be seen on steelyard weights even after Christianity was made the official religion of the Empire. The use of weights of various sizes provided greater accuracy.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Steelyard Weight with the Bust of Athena
Date: 5th–7th century
Culture: Byzantine
Medium: Copper alloy
Dimensions: 2 3/16 × 7/8 × 13/16 in., 1.6oz. (5.5 × 2.2 × 2 cm, 45g)
Classification: Metalwork-Copper alloy
Credit Line: Bequest of Adra M. Newell, 1966
Object Number: 67.154.2
Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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