Roman Bronze Steelyard Scale Balance & Hooks

Roman, late Republic to early Imperial Period, ca. 1st century BCE to 1st century CE. A steelyard scale made from several cast-bronze component. The balance beam has two cubic terminals, three slender rings, and three corresponding weight hooks on one end. The other end supports a balustrade-terminal carabiner with exaggerated, upturned terminals, an inverted parabolic loop, a pair of long bronze-link chains, and two end hooks meant for attaching to whatever was being weighed. Steelyard balances were used to weigh loads by moving a counterweight along the beam until it balanced and then its weight was read. Size: 8.125" L x 13.4" H (20.6 cm x 34 cm)

Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA, acquired between 2010 and 2012; ex-private Los Angeles, California, USA collection

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#153283
Condition Report: Slight bending to balance beam, carabiner, and some hooks, with light encrustations, otherwise intact and very good. Light earthen deposits and great green and brown patina throughout.