Thursday, August 13, 2020

Athena Steelyard Weight from Paul Bessey Collection

 

My Byzantine Empress steelyard weight was lonely, so I bought her a companion.

Roman, 3rd-4th century AD*., a very large and heavy, looped bronze figural steelyard weight in the form of Athena / Minerva**. She wears tall crested helmet and a gorgon head Aegis***, see notes below. Nice facial features show wear but are still easily discernible as are the detailed garments she wears which are evident all around the lower portion of this impressive weight. Rich dark brown and emerald green patina throughout. 

12.6 pounds

9-1/2 " tall, including 1" loop at top of weight

4-1/2 " wide at shoulders

3-1/2 " deep from Aegis to back

base dimensions are 4.5 X 3.5 ". 

Lot 71 of Michael Malter Auction Feb 13, 2011; Encino, CA, USA 

Notes:

* - 5th to 8th centuries AD. Anne McClanan in Representations of Early Byzantine Empresses gives a later date.

** - Minerva was the Roman name for the Greek goddess Athena. Most of their attributes (Powers, clothing, ets.) are the same. Weights from Western Roman Empire are called Minerva. Norbert Franken in AEQUIPOMDIA places statues like this in group CB. 

*** - The Aegis of Athena with the Gorgon Head


Athena's Aegis with the gorgon head in the middle from the west pediment of the archaic temple of Apollo at Eretria.

Parian Marble, circa 520-500 BCE.

https://ancient-greece.org/images/museums/eretria-mus/pages/eretria-021.html

 




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