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Description: | A complete cast lead flat shield-shaped trade weight, dating to the 13th/ 14th century period between AD 1200 - 1400 (length: 58mm; width: 47mm; thickness: 12mm; weight: 221.20g).In the centre at the top of the weight, there is a small rectangular hole (length: 2.5mm; width: 6.5mm), which could have been used for suspension. The hole is situated on the edge of an irregular border that runs around the front of the weight (average width: 3mm). In the centre of the front of the weight, there are three lions passant guardant facing to the left with tails curled over the top of their backs and both front paws and claws outstretched in front. The lions reduce in size as they appear further down to the rounded point of the shield-shaped weight. The rectangular hole at the top of the weight cuts into the tail of the largest lion. The back of the weight is flat and undecorated. Overall, the artefact is in a slightly worn but good condition.A similar example is illustrated in Biggs, N, & Withers, P, 2000, 'Lead Weights: The David Rogers Collection', page 37, ref no 85, which has the same design but does not have the probable suspension hole. Biggs and Withers suggest (page 34) that weights having finely detailed lions adds 'to the impression that the weights were produced under official authority'. There is also specific documentary evidence from AD 1197 - AD 1389 which suggests that there were official efforts to establish a uniform system of weights and measures, but Biggs and Withers note the difficulty in linking this evidence and the artefactual evidence together. Additionally, with reference to these two examples, it has also be noted in the publication that the 'badge of three lions was first adopted as a national emblem by Richard I in his Great Seal of 1198' although the device was used before then. The 'three-lion' types as well as the quartered shield types may have been the earliest of these weights that were produced, and perhaps the most official, since they are clearly related to the arms of England (page 35).
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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