Coin Weight
Unknown Artist
11th century
Medium
Glass
Dimensions
H. 1/8 in. (0.3 cm) Diam. 7/8 in. (2.2 cm) Wt. 0.1 oz. (2.8 g)
Classification
Glass
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1908
Accession Number
08.256.50
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate glass coin weight from the 11th exemplifies the precision craftsmanship of the Islamic world during a golden age of trade and. Measuring just 7/8 inch in diameter and weighing a mere 0.1 ounce, it was designed for practical use in verifying the weight of gold dinars or silver dirhams, ensuring fair transactions across bustling markets from Baghdad to Cordoba. As part of standardized weights and measures systems, such objects reflect the Abbasid Caliphate's emphasis on regulation and scientific accuracy. Crafted from glass—a medium prized in Islamic art for its clarity and moldab...