A ‘sliding-weight scale’, also known as a ‘Roman balance’ or ‘steelyard balance’. This type of scales has been known since ancient times, proven by a discovery in Pompeii. The principle of the ‘sliding weight scale’ is based on a straight-beam balance with arms of unequal length. The beam is suspended from a pivot between the long and short arms. The object to be weighed (the load) is hung from the short arm of the beam, while a (calibrated) counterweight slides along the longer arm until a horizontal balance of the two arms is reached. The upper side of the longer arm features notches and dots (in later scales also numerals). When the two arms are balanced, the position reached by the ‘sliding weight’ on the longer arm indicates the weight of the load with its notches and dots. ’Sliding weight scales’ were easy to transport and hence ideal for travelling merchants.
All the parts of the present old sliding scale, its weighing beam, hanging sections, four hooks, two chains and the counterweight are entirely made of iron. The upper surface of the longer weighing beam, with a rectangular cross-section, clearly displays a weight scale in the form of forged diagonal lines, notches and dots. The short, broad weighing beam is decorated with star-shaped openwork. The heavy iron counterweight (930 grams) is decorated with hammered dot-line motifs and circles. Length: 53 cm (length of the weighing beam);
Height: 52 cm (end of the hanging hooks). Probably Turkish-Ottoman; 19th century or earlier. (ME)