Venetian Bronze Scale Weight With Lion Of Saint Mark – “quarto Di Calvea”

Rare cast bronze scale weight bearing the inscription “QUARTO DI CALVEA”, referring to an ancient Venetian unit of measurement. The piece features in relief the Lion of Saint Mark holding an open book, the official emblem of the Most Serene Republic of Venice, symbol of justice and sovereignty.
Likely datable between the 17th and 18th century, it bears numerous punch marks and engraved inscriptions on several levels, probably added over time as official certifications or usage verifications. Some engravings appear to reference the transitional period between the fall of the Republic (1797) and Italian unification, making this a tangible witness to the continuity of use from the Ancien Régime to the 19th century.
The weight, equivalent to approximately 660 grams, matches the official standards for the "quarto di calvea", a unit used in Venetian markets for the certified weighing of goods and metals.
Material: cast bronzeWeight: 660 gTechnique: casting and manual engravingDecoration: Lion of Saint Mark in relief, engraved inscriptionsCondition: signs of wear, visible crack at the base, original patina
An object of great historical and collectible value, belonging to the metrological tradition of Venice. Highly appealing to collectors of antique measuring instruments, Venetian artifacts, and civic-use bronzes.
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