Weight in the Shape of a Byzantine Empress, 5th century, Byzantine, Copper alloy, filled with metal, 5 1/2 × 2 11/16 × 1 3/4 in., 3.5 lb. (13.9 × 6.9 × 4.5 cm, 1574g), Metalwork-Copper alloy, Portraits busts of Byzantine empresses were used for weights, thereby encouraging the public's belief in the state's ability to ensure fair and prosperous trade. The women here, whose elaborate jewels represented the wealth of the state, hold a mappa, an official symbol of imperial authority, or a scroll, reflecting the state's emphasis on learning
Keywords:
Weight, Shape, Byzantine Empress, 5th century, Byzantine, Copper alloy, filled, metal, 5 1/2, 2 11/16, 1 3/4, 3.5 lb, 13.9, 6.9, 4.5 cm, 1574g, Metalwork-Copper, Portraits busts, empresses, weights, thereby encouraging, public, belief, state, ability, ensure fair, prosperous trade, women, elaborate jewels, represented, wealth, hold, mappa, official symbol, imperial authority, scroll, reflecting, emphasis, learning
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