Weight
Unknown Artist
ca. 1295–1070 B.C.
Medium
Pottery
Dimensions
Diam. 6.8 cm (2 11/16 in.)
Classification
Weight
Period
New Kingdom, Ramesside
Department
Egyptian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1915
Accession Number
15.3.1022
Art Historical Context
Step into the world of ancient Egypt's New Kingdom with this unassuming yet essential pottery weight, crafted around 1295–1070 B.C. during the Ramesside period of Dynasties 19–20. This era marked Egypt's imperial zenith under pharaohs like Ramses II, when vast trade networks spanned the Mediterranean and Nubia, demanding precise measurement tools for commerce, taxation, and temple offerings. At just 6.8 cm in diameter, this compact object would have been a daily staple in markets and scribal offices, ensuring fairness in exchanges of grain, metals, and luxury goods. Made of pottery—a durable,...