Coin Weight
Unknown Artist
11th century
Medium
Glass
Dimensions
H. 3/16 in. (0.5 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
08.256.51
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate glass coin weight from the 11 century exemplifies the precision craftsmanship Islamic artisans during a golden of trade and commerce. just 7/8 in diameter and weighing a 0.1 ounce it was designed to verify the exact weight of goldars or other coins, ensuring fair in bustling markets from Baghdad to Cordoba. Crafted in the Islamic Art tradition, such tools were essential for merchants navigating the Silk Road and Mediterranean trade routes, where standardized weights prevented fraud and supported economic stability under Abbasid and Fatimid rule. Glass was a favored medium for th...