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Set of six duck-shaped balance weights
Near Eastern, Mesopotamian, Babylonian
Old Babylonian Period (?)
1894–1595 B.C.
Medium/Technique
Hematite
Dimensions
Legacy dimension: a. L: 43, W: 35, H: 32mm. 83.4 gms. = 10 shekels. b. L: 36, W: 30, H: 27mm. 47.68 gms. = 6 shekels. c. L: 33, W: 29, H:23 mm. 38.21 gms. = 5 shekels. d. L: 25, W: 23, H: 21 mm. 18.87 gms. = 2 1/4 shekels. e. L: 23, W: 20, H: 18 mm. 11.929 gms. = 1 1/2 shekels. f. L: 18, W: 16, H: 13 mm. 5.96 gms. = 3/4 shekels
Credit Line
Florence E. and Horace L. Mayer Fund and Marilyn M. Simpson Fund
Accession Number1997.16a-f
CollectionsAncient Egypt, Nubia and the Near East
ClassificationsTools and equipment – Weights and measures
DescriptionSix duck-shaped balance weights. For unknown reasons, scale weights in ancient Mesopotamia were often carved in the form of ducks with back-turned heads.
Provenance1997, sold by Noele and Ronald Mele Ancient Works of Art, Westport, CT to the MFA. (Accession Date: March 26, 1997)