First half of the 17th century
Copper alloy
Weights of this type are standardized weighing instruments forming sets, characterized by a uniform appearance resembling small cups. They were used in Europe from the 16th century onward. A distinctive feature of such sets is that the weight of each smaller piece equals half the weight of the next larger one, while the mass of the largest weight equals the combined weight of all the weights in the set.
The presented weights are almost identical in size and differ only slightly in weight, suggesting that they likely belonged to two different sets. Such sets of weights were used by merchants – for weighing bulk and valuable goods or precious metals – as well as by apothecaries, mint workers, and assayers.
Information prepared by Dovilė Urbonavičiūtė-Jankauskienė
