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In ancient Sumeria, Babylon and the surrounding regions, a system of standardized weights developed prior to 2,800 BC to provide for fairness from vendors of valuable commodities such as spices and minerals. From their earliest appearance, many if not most of these weights were carved or cast in the shape of a duck, with its head resting on the center of its back. Weights in this form were used throughout the Levantine area, and were officially moderated to ensure fair play among tradesmen and their customers. The Babylonian system of weights was based upon the shekel, 𒂆, in cuneiform, minas and talents. Sixty shekels made up a mina or mana (= about one pound or one-half kilogram), and sixty minas equaled a talent. Weights were notched to indicate their weight although the markings were often so complex that they might have been used (or reused) as seals. They were made to be both functional and aesthetically appealing, suggesting that the people who used them valued beauty in everyday objects.
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154
Neo-Babylonian rock crystal duck weight and seal, from the 8th century BC, measuring 24 mm in length, weighing 6.1 grams, representing three-fourth of a shekel. The seal image is of the moon symbol of the god Sin with dots representing the powers of Marduk.
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155
Neo-Assyrian crystal duck weight and seal weighing 3.09 grams, representing one-third shekel on the slightly heavier Assyrian standard. The seal images represent the moon of Sin and the staff of Marduk.
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156
Old Babylonian duck weight in a white stone, from the period 1925 – 1595 BC. The form of the duck abbreviated, with the long neck hugging the body, the head resting flat in the center of the back, flattened along the bottom. Size: ca. 20 mm. This carefully carved weight has neither a hole for suspension nor any seal cuttings of markings, which is quite unusual for these objects and weighs 2.2 grams, representing one-third shekel on the Old Babylonian standard.
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157
Syrian provincial polished rock crystal duck weight and seal featuring a striding ibex facing left. Weighing 5.1 grams, this represents one-half shekel on the standard of the region and period.
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158
Neo-Babylonian red jasper duck weight seal, 8th – 7th Century BC, later re-used as a seal in the 1st millennium BC, featuring astrological images. Size: ca. 17 mm and weighing 1.69 grams, representing one-sixth shekel. The image on the seal is the star of Ishtar.
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159
Babylonian white stone duck weight and with elaborate stamp seal showing the stylus of Nabu, son of Marduk topped with a crescent. Wings delineated, with head resting on its back.
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160
Neo-Babylonian, 8th – 7th Century BC, white stone duck weight and seal weighing 3.49 grams representing one-third shekel. The boldly carved seal images are of the moon of Sin and the spear of Marduk.
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161
Early Neo-Babylonian agate duck weight and seal, made as a weight, later re-used as a seal by the late Babylonians, 9th – 8th centuries BC. Engraved with a symbolic design. This seal measures 25 mm across and weighs 5 grams, representing one-half shekel.
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162
Neo-Assyrian duck weight seal, 8th Century BC, made as a weight, later re-used as a seal. Pinkish marble, engraved with a male bearded god standing with his back against an altar. Measuring 23 mm in length and weighing 5.7 grams, making this a two-thirds shekel weight, according to the slightly heavier Assyrian standard of the period.
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163
9th – 8th Century BC, early Neo-Assyrian banded agate duck weight with stamp seal on its bottom featuring the star of Ishtar and the stylus and spear of Marduk. This seal is carved in the form of a duck abbreviated, with the long neck hugging the body, the head resting flat in the center of the back. Weighing 5.3 grams, this is a one-half shekel weight, according to the standard of the period.
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164
Small red jasper Old Babylonian, 1925-1595 BC, duck weight of 2.5 grams representing 1/4 shekel on that scale. This is a weight with no seal carving and measures 16 mm in length.
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Items 146, 147, and 148, shown together in ascending sizes, comprising a “family” or partial set of Old Babylonian duck weights of varying weights and sizes.
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165
Polished black steatite duck weight from the Old Babylonian period, 1925-1595 BC. This is a weight only with no seal carving and no piercing for suspension.
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166
Polished black steatite duck weight from the Old Babylonian period, 1925-1595 BC. This is a weight only with no seal carving and no piercing for suspension.
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167
Polished black steatite duck weight from the Old Babylonian period, 1925-1595 BC. This is a weight only with no seal carving and no piercing for suspension.
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168
Ancient Mesopotamian, likely northern Syrian, genuine red stone duck weight from the First Millennium BC. This hard stone artifact weighs 12.46 grams or in ancient terms 30 gur (gerah) or one and one-half shekels. It measures one inch in length and one half inch across at the widest point. It is larger size and the absence of a drill hole make it more rare. This fine item is from an old US collection and was first purchased by the collector in 1970 from a respected London dealer.
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169
A bright white agate duck weight and seal made by the Sumerians in the 3rd millennium as a weight, converted by the Neo-Babylonians to a personal stamp seal in the 9th-7th century BC. This stone features a later Assyrian carving of an animal and measures 15 mm at its widest point.