South Italian Terracotta: Disc Loom Weight
Inv. No.: 95.060
Provenance: South Italy (Metaponto)
Date: ?
Height: 82mm
Depth: 20mm
A thick, disc-shaped loom weight decorated on its upper and lower surfaces with a low-relief floral pattern. Warp threads were passed through the two holes that have been bored through the disc towards one edge. The clay is orange-buff in colour. The piece is in good condition although chipped at the edges. There is some incrustation.
Function:
Loom weights were used to tension warp threads in the weaving of fabric on warp-weighted looms.
Manufacture:
Probably a hand-made piece with a moulded or stamped decoration.
Decoration:
- The main part of the low-relief pattern consists of a central disc surrounded by eight petals forming a daisy-like shape. The central disc is framed by an undulating fine line, from which, between each pair of petals, other lines branch. Each of these branching lines ends in a spray of three leaves.
- There are two holes for holding the thread.
Bibliography:
Scheid, J. and J. Svenbro, The Craft of Zeus: Myths of Weaving and Fabric, trans. C. Volk, Cambridge, Massachusetts and London, England, Harvard University Press, 1996.
Strong, D. and D. Brown (eds.), Roman Crafts, New York, New York University Press, 1976, 170-172.
Wild, J. P., Textiles in Archaeology, Aylesbury, Shire Publications, 1988, 31-49.
Comparanda:
Boardman, J., Athenian Black Figure Vases: a Handbook, London, Thames and Hudson, 1974, Fig. 78 (lekythos by the Amasis Painter with wool working scenes).
Wild, J. P., Textiles in Archaeology, Aylesbury, Shire Publications, 1988, Fig. 22 (various terracotta loom weights).