Large Eastern Roman Bronze Bust-Shaped Steelyard Weight
Circa 3rd-4th century A.D. or later. Modelled in the round as a facing female with head turned slightly right, with semi-naturalistic facial detailing and dressed hair; lead-filled. See Biddle, M. & Henig, M., A Jupiter temple (?) outside the west gate of Venta Belgarum and the development of Winchester’s western suburb, London, 2018; Allason-Jones, L. & Miket, R., Catalogue of Small Finds from South Shields Roman Fort, Gloucester, 1984. 4.2 kg, 13.5 cm high (5 1/4 in.).

Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection. Steelyard weights in the form of human or deities faces were not uncommon in the Roman period (see SWYOR-DA4426, OXON-4391B5, HAMP-BD4D67 and NARC-7A7B81 on the PAS). These were generally filled with lead and had iron or copper suspension loops projecting from the top of the head.