A Byzantine Bronze Weight

Abstract

Delbrueck gives tentative identifications for the five examples published by him. The ascription of these to the fifth century A.D. is unquestionably a just one since the coiffures of the empresses can easily be checked with the busts of empresses on fifth century coins. The identification of individual pieces as representing particular empresses is less certain, however, and so far it has proved impossible to push the matter any further than Delbrueck was able to do. The sculptors had so much difficulty in rendering the front views of the busts that it is quite possible that they worked from coins or medallions. The eyes especially gave