Coin Weight
Unknown Artist
12th 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
08.256.39
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate glass coin weight from the 12th century offers a glimpse into the sophisticated economic systems of the medieval Islamic world. Measuring just under an inch across and weighing a mere 2.8 grams, such objects were essential tools for merchants and officials to verify the authenticity and value of coins in bustling trade centers. Glass proved an ideal medium—durable, non-corrosive, and capable of precise calibration—reflecting the advanced glassmaking traditions that flourished across the Islamic lands. In the context of Islamic art, everyday functional items like this weight high...