Roman Bronze Steelyard Weight - Bust of a Woman
Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. An elegant bronze Roman steelyard weight depicting the bust of a woman cast via the lost wax (cire perdue) process. Draped in a flowing tunic pinned over her right shoulder and exposing her left, her large round eyes gaze outwards as her pursed lips suggest an air of contemplation. Her centrally parted hair is in two twists that frame her face, reminiscent of a crown, and are then pulled back to form both a low bun and a braid peeking over her bare left shoulder. The combined elements of her sophisticated dress and intricate hairstyle indicate that she is of nobility or possibly a goddess. A beautiful example of an ancient Roman object of daily use. Size: 2.125" L x 1.6875" W x 3.1875" H (5.4 cm x 4.3 cm x 8.1 cm) on included custom stand.
Steelyard balances, called stateras, were used to weigh loads by moving a counterweight, such as this one, along the beam until it balanced and then the incised numeral was read. Vitruvius describes them and their function in his De Architectura, Book X, 3-4.
See an example of a full statera with a weight included that sold at Christie's London - 30 April 2008 - Lot 33.
Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection; ex-Mark Goodstein collection, Explorer Ancient Art, New York, New York, USA; ex-Arte Primitivo, New York, New York, USA, before 2012
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.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#147469
Condition Report: Crescent shaped metal atop head with repaired left side remaining from loop for function as steelyard weight. Expected surface wear. Stunning rich green patina.
View it on
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. An elegant bronze Roman steelyard weight depicting the bust of a woman cast via the lost wax (cire perdue) process. Draped in a flowing tunic pinned over her right shoulder and exposing her left, her large round eyes gaze outwards as her pursed lips suggest an air of contemplation. Her centrally parted hair is in two twists that frame her face, reminiscent of a crown, and are then pulled back to form both a low bun and a braid peeking over her bare left shoulder. The combined elements of her sophisticated dress and intricate hairstyle indicate that she is of nobility or possibly a goddess. A beautiful example of an ancient Roman object of daily use. Size: 2.125" L x 1.6875" W x 3.1875" H (5.4 cm x 4.3 cm x 8.1 cm) on included custom stand.
Steelyard balances, called stateras, were used to weigh loads by moving a counterweight, such as this one, along the beam until it balanced and then the incised numeral was read. Vitruvius describes them and their function in his De Architectura, Book X, 3-4.
See an example of a full statera with a weight included that sold at Christie's London - 30 April 2008 - Lot 33.
Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection; ex-Mark Goodstein collection, Explorer Ancient Art, New York, New York, USA; ex-Arte Primitivo, New York, New York, USA, before 2012
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.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#147469
Condition Report: Crescent shaped metal atop head with repaired left side remaining from loop for function as steelyard weight. Expected surface wear. Stunning rich green patina.
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
