File:Cast copper alloy steelyard weight of medieval date (c. 1200 - 1450 AD) (FindID 70170).jpg

English: Cast copper alloy steelyard weight with a lead core of medieval date (c. 1200 - 1450 AD) decorated with three shields in relief.

    


    
    The steelyard weight is sub-circular in plan and cross section. It has a diameter of 53.4mm and is 55.7mm high. The top is flattened and the centre occupied by an integral cast thick triangle of metal, which is pierced by a sub-oval (D shaped) perforation to form a suspension loop. This triangle of metal is 34.6mm long, 12.1mm wide, and 8.1mm thick. The suspension perforation is 5.7mm wide and 6.5mm high. There is a sub circular hollow (with a diameter of 13.4mm)in the base of the weight. Through this the lead core was probably added. The steelyard weighs 612 grams or 1lb 5.5ozs. 


    
    Around the top is an incised or engraved frieze consisting of a series of tessellating triangles (forming a zig-zag line) between two horizontal lines. Below this frieze are three shields all cast in relief. On these three shields are a series of crude incised heraldic designs. The first shield is divided by a horizontal incised line located in the top third of the shield. Below this is a crude incised eight pointed star. This is formed by the two crosses, one with vertical and horizontal axis and the other with diagonal. The diagonal cross overlays (cuts through) the vertical-horizontal cross. The second shield is partially obscured by corrosion and a horizontal split in the copper alloy case. Within the shield are a series of four chevrons which point upwards. The third shield is decorated with a border. This border is sub-divided by a series of lines into sub-square panels. In the centre of the shield is a diagonal cross.

 
  
  The weight is of a light-mid green colour with an even patina. As mentioned above there is a large split in the copper alloy skin. Around this split is a large amount of mid-brown iron staining and corrosion. Therefore, it is possible that this split might have been caused by the corrosion of a series of small iron pins, which could have held the lead core in place.

 
  

Similar parallels can be seen in the Ward and Perkins Medieval Catalogue of artefacts in London Museum (pages 170-174). These are dated to the medieval period 1250-1400.