https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/templates/general_wide/img/logo.png https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/ https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/medieval/weighing-equipment.html https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/medieval/weighing-equipment/folding-balance-56736.html Tue, 29 Mar 2022 19:29:39 GMT Weighing equipment  

Description:		A small folding balance of the medieval period. The balance comprises a short central beam, two arms with looped terminals, and part of the pierced pointer. The beam is constructed with two plates that are riveted together, both enclosing and holding all parts together. Only one rivet is visible. The object is constructed in such a manner that when the two arms are fully folded outwards, the angled bottom ends (which are of reduced thickness) lock into position with the pointer base. The pointer would have also had a separate suspension loop attached through the small hole at its base. When weighing pans were attached to the arm loops, weights were utilised to achieve balance. The pointer indicated balance when it was in vertical alignment with the top centre of the suspension loop. (image 4 displays a similar complete balance, taken from The Science Museum collection, London).
Category:		Medieval, Weighing equipment
Category:		Weighing equipment

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/medieval/weighing-equipment/scale-pan-from-balance-17389.html Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT Weighing equipment  

Description:		A triangular copper-alloy scale pan from a late medieval balance. It is stamped on the upper face with a floral motif, possibly a verification mark, and has a faintly incised double line border. There is a small drilled hole at each corner for the suspension strings. Traces of silvering or tinning are present on the surface. The similar examples referenced below were all recovered from ceramic phases 11 or 12 (c.1350-c.1450). Cf. UKDFD 12698
Category:		Medieval, Weighing equipment
Category:		Weighing equipment

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/medieval/weighing-equipment/folding-balance-fragment-42938.html Tue, 24 Sep 2013 00:00:00 GMT Weighing equipment  

Description:		Part of a medieval folding balance, comprising the beam and two incomplete arms. The pointer, which would have been attached via the central hole, is missing. In use, the arms would have folded out until they locked in alignment with the beam. Pans would have been suspended on three cords from the end of each arm, and the balance would have been held by a loop pivoted in a hole at the base of the missing pointer. The object to be weighed was placed in one pan, and weights were progressively added to the second pan until the balance was in equilibrium. The correct weight was indicated when the pointer aligned with the axis of the suspension loop. See UKDFD 24448 for similar balance with surviving pointer.
Category:		Medieval, Weighing equipment
Category:		Weighing equipment

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/medieval/weighing-equipment/tumbrel-44703.html Sun, 02 Mar 2014 00:00:00 GMT Weighing equipment  

Description:		A medieval tumbrel or balance for checking that silver pennies were of full weight. The handle is incomplete and the pan is missing from the end of the balance-arm. For a complete tumbrel of similar type, see UKDFD 20099. For information regarding the history and use of the tumbrel, see Chris Marshall, The Medieval Tumbrel.
Category:		Medieval, Weighing equipment
Category:		Weighing equipment

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/medieval/weighing-equipment/tumbrel-fragment-46589.html Wed, 29 Oct 2014 00:00:00 GMT Weighing equipment  

Description:		A fragment of a medieval tumbrel (balance) for checking that silver pennies were of full weight. It consists of the upper part of the handle, the forked end and the balance arm having broken off at the pivot point. The front has moulded and incised linear decoration, including a terminal knop. The reverse is recessed to accommodate the plain end of the missing balance arm. For a complete tumbrel of generally similar type, see UKDFD 20099.
Category:		Medieval, Weighing equipment
Category:		Weighing equipment

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/medieval/weighing-equipment/tumbrel-fragment-49729.html Tue, 10 Nov 2015 00:00:00 GMT Weighing equipment  

Description:		The incomplete handle only of a medieval tumbrel or balance for checking that silver pennies were of full weight. The handle is decorated with zigzag 'wrigglework' and an incised saltire. For more complete tumbrels of generally similar type, see UKDFD 20099 and UKDFD 44703. For information regarding the history and use of the tumbrel, see Chris Marshall, The Medieval Tumbrel.
Category:		Medieval, Weighing equipment
Category:		Weighing equipment

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/medieval/weighing-equipment/folding-coin-balance-44714.html Mon, 03 Mar 2014 00:00:00 GMT Weighing equipment  

Description:		An incomplete copper-alloy folding coin balance. Comprising the slotted, bifurcated handle and one half of the pivoting beam. Both beam and handle are rectangular in cross-section, the handle has moulded decoration at both ends.
Category:		Medieval, Weighing equipment
Category:		Weighing equipment

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/medieval/weighing-equipment/tumbrel-20099.html Sun, 02 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT Weighing equipment  

Description:		A medieval tumbrel or balance for checking that silver pennies were of full weight. The frame, balance-arm and pan are decorated with oblique bands of engraved zigzags (‘wrigglework’), and there are indented dots between some of the bands. The top end of the frame is acorn-shaped, with cross-hatching on the ‘cup’. The pan has a stop-ridge to ensure that the penny is correctly positioned for weighing. The tumbrel is fully functional and the balance ‘tips’ consistently at a weight of 21.4 grains (1.39g). This would suggest that it was intended to check pennies struck before the weight reductions of the period 1344-1351, during which the standard weight was progressively reduced from 22.2 grains to 18 grains. For information regarding the history and use of the tumbrel, see Chris Marshall, The Medieval Tumbrel.
Category:		Medieval, Weighing equipment
Category:		Weighing equipment

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/medieval/weighing-equipment/folding-balance-fragment-7996.html Tue, 10 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT Weighing equipment  

Description:		Part of a medieval folding balance, comprising a fragment of the beam and one incomplete articulated arm.
Category:		Medieval, Weighing equipment
Category:		Weighing equipment

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/medieval/weighing-equipment/folding-balance-fragment-12591.html Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Weighing equipment  

Description:		Part of a medieval folding balance, comprising the central section of the beam, one incomplete arm and a small fragment of the second arm. Incised decoration as shown on Image 3.
Category:		Medieval, Weighing equipment
Category:		Weighing equipment

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