Trapezoidal loom weight

Trapezoidal loom weight

6th-4th century BCE

Unknown

South Italian, Peucetian

Style/Period: South Italian, Peucetian

Discovery Site: Discovered in Eastern Apulia (Puglia), Bari province, Italy

Repository: Museum of Classical Antiquities, University of Ottawa / Musée d'antiquités gréco-romaines, Université d'Ottawa

Collection: Donati Collection

tools, equipment and materials

Materials/Techniques: terracotta (clay material)

Measurements: 7.5 cm high, 4.5 cm wide, 3 cm deep, 112 g

Loom weights are used to keep the warp (vertical) threads of the warp-weighted loom pulled tight and in place during weaving. Pyramidal loom weights are by far the most common type found in Italy in the first millennium BCE. This loom weight should be dated to the Archaic or Classical period on the basis of comparison to other loom weights from dated contexts, including loom weights in dated tomb assemblages in eastern Apulia, where this loom weight was found. In Italy most loom weights were made of fired clay, in coarse or fine fabric. Trapezoidal loom weights are similar in shape to pyramidal ones, with a truncated, squared top, but a rectangular rather than a square base, generally making them much thinner than the pyramidal type. This loom weight is made of a coarse-ware type fabric and is greyish-beige in colour; there is a square-shaped stamp on two sides of the loom weight with markings, possibly scratches from wear or damage.

Repository Accession Number: 2014.5.36

Record: UO-MCA-2014-5-36

Cataloguer: Eryn Ford, University of Ottawa

Photographer: Mélissa Mourez, University of Ottawa

Image Date: 2018-07-18

The images are provided by the Museum of Classical Antiquities, University of Ottawa. For contact information, visit the Museum website: https://arts.uottawa.ca/cla-srs/en/museum | Les images sont fournies par le Musée d'antiquités gréco-romaines de l'Université d’Ottawa. Visitez le site du musée pour les coordonnées : https://arts.uottawa.ca/cla-srs/fr/musee