Byzantine Empire – Bronze Polyhedral Weight (10th–13th Century) – With Certificate of Authenticity

The specimen presents rigorous polyhedral geometry of dodecahedral type, characteristic of Byzantine standards. Its small size and conception testify to specialized use in measuring precious metals and valuable merchandise.

Each face of the polyhedron is decorated with a concentric circular medallion forming a distinctive reading ocellus, facilitating rapid identification during commercial transactions.

The decoration repeats uniformly on all faces, creating a coherent visual system allowing immediate recognition of the weight value.

Flan and edge

The cast bronze presents edges softened by use and time, testifying to a long period of utilization. The dense material ensures the metrological reliability of the instrument.

Dimensions: 10 x 12 mm. Material: bronze with homogeneous ancient patina presenting green and brown nuances characteristic of antiquity.

In the Byzantine Empire, these weights guaranteed the justice of measures in markets and imperial administration. They materialize the continuity of standards inherited from Late Antiquity and the effort of economic stabilization.

This object condenses the Byzantine ethic of just measure, constituting a precious archaeological document on medieval Mediterranean commercial practices.

Documented provenance from an English private collection formed in the 1980s. Antikarts certificate of authenticity provided.