Description:

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 2nd century CE. A steelyard (statera) balance chain with two curved hooks and a larger, carabiner-like clip holding the two lengths of chain together. A pretty, functional piece of machinery. Length of full item: 21.5" L (54.6 cm)

Steelyard balances were used to weigh loads by moving a counterweight along the beam until it balanced and then reading the incised numeral. Vitruvius describes them and their function in his "De Architectura", Book X, 3-4. See this full example with a figural weight that sold at Christie's for approximately $7852 in 2008: http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/a-late-roman-bronze-steelyard-balance-and-5060684-details.aspx

Provenance: private Orange County, California, USA collection acquired before 2000

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#122228

  • Condition: Dark green, lightly mottled patina on surface. Slight bending to hooks and a few of the chains, but everything has great movement.

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November 21, 2017 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
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