Publication Date
Fourth-fifth / tenth-eleventh centuries
Publication Place
-
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow Museums
Subject
JAG molded and stamped; Transparent light green colour.
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
القطر: 2 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
1929.84.ai
Record ID
object;ISL;uk;Mus04;19;ar
Library Location
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow Museums
Date
Fourth-fifth / tenth-eleventh centuries
Notes
A glass weight made in Egypt between the 2nd and 9th / 8th and 15th centuries, and may have been used to verify the weights of original models of gold, silver and copper coins. The typical weight of the gold dinar was 4.25 grams, while the weight of the silver dirham was 2.97 grams. The coins were minted by hand, and therefore, it was difficult to verify that the weight was accurate correctly, because manipulating the weight of hand-minted coins was itself a problem. Glass weights, like the one we have, were created to monitor the accuracy of coins, and sellers used them to ensure that the value of the metal was being paid for the goods purchased. The inscriptions stamped on these weights usually engraved the name of the ruler or official responsible for issuing them, and they were often reissued whenever the ruler or official changed. This particular example, which we are describing, is light green and stamped with an Arabic inscription on one side (pending decipherment), while the reverse is flat and devoid of decoration. These weights attest to Fustat's status as one of the richest cities in the Middle East during the Fatimid era (296-566 / 909-1171). The markets of Fustat and its active port used to market a wide variety of goods arriving from all over the world, including the far reaches of China. Fustat was also an important industrial center, producing exquisite ceramics, glassware, steel and copper products, soap, textiles, and paper.
Sample Text
Noorah Al-Gailani, Noorah Al-Gailani “Glass Weight” in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;ISL;uk;Mus04;19;ar
