Description:

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 2nd century CE. A steelyard (statera) balance scale crossbeam consisting of a rectangular beam with a rounded terminal on one end and a zoomorphic terminal on the other. An iron bar with two rivets projects from the neck and connects the zoomorphic head - which strongly resembles a boar - to the main part of the crossbeam. The beam is incised with linear striations and circular impressions to denote weight. Steelyard balances were used to weigh loads by moving a counterweight along the beam until it stabilized and then reading the incised marking. Vitruvius describes these balances and their function in his De Architectura, Book X, 3-4. Size: 18.1" L x 1.125" W (46 cm x 2.9 cm); 3.625" H (9.2 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection, acquired in August 2018; ex-Artemis Gallery; ex-private New Jersey, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#157317

  • Condition: Very slight bending to overall form, with light encrustations along iron area, otherwise intact and excellent. Great patina and preservation to details.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

August 27, 2020 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000