POST MEDIEVAL WEIGHT

Cast lead standing weight, conical in profile with a pointed apex and circular base. The apex has an integral central circular aperture that is 3 mm in diameter which may have been used with a hook to suspend the weight, but it is more likely to have been used as a standing weight. The base has a cavity within it that is almost circular in plan and is 10 mm in diameter and 5 mm in height or depth. The weight weighs 102.91g which is equivalent to 3.6 ounces avoirdupois, but it may have had another metal inserted in to the base to make it heavier and likely would have equated to 4 ounces.Egan (2005) illustrates two similar weights on page 164, fig.161, nos.845 & 850, which are dated from c.1530-1570 and c.1630-1650.Egan (1998) records a conical weight with a central hole that weighs 94 g, which was probably used as a quarter of an English troy pound or three ounces, on page 322, no.1038, which is dated from the 15th century.Biggs & Withers (2000) illustrate a similar standing weight with an integral looped handle and a cavity at the base to adjust the mass, that weighs 62g on page 33, no.77.