"Zoomorphic weights were widespread in the ancient world. Weights in the
shape of frogs and toads were rare in the Near East, but they do occur
in Egypt. This frog weight is dated to the second millennium B.C. on the
basis of the four line Akkadian inscription under its throat: "a frog
[weighing] 10 minas, a legitimate weight of the god Shamash, belonging
to Iddin-Nergal, son of Arkat-ili-damqa." The mina was the Mesopotamian
unit of measure, weighing about 500 grams (18 ounces)."
Carved from diorite or andesite in Mesopotamia ca 2000-1600 B.C. From the collections of the
Metropolitan Museum of Art, via
Uncertain Times.
For the record, these were not paper weights, but a standard weight that could be used on scales to measure the weight of metals.
ReplyDeleteAny idea whether the purpose of fashioning them in zoomorphic shape(s) was to prevent merchants from shaving down a standard weight to cheat customers?
DeleteHmm, I suppose there's quite a bit of shaving you can do before it becomes noticeable.
DeleteI say, Utnapishtim, your frogs look frightfully skinny today. - Nonsense, my dear chap, they're just healthy, is all. That'll be twelve, or rather, thirteen sheqels of silver then. My my, prices do rise, wouldn't you agree?
Drabkikker approves. :)
ReplyDelete