1550-1600; England; Bronze, cast
By the middle of the 16th century, England had established itself as a major European producer of woollen cloth. Wool from England was thought to be the finest available. Special decorative weights were used to weigh it. Wool weights had holes or loops with which to attach a leather strap so that they could be slung over a beam and counter-balanced with an equivalent weight of wool. Wool weights were made as 7, 14 and 28 lb weights (i.e., ½-, 1-, and 2-stone weights). This particular weight weighs 14 pounds or 1 stone. Shield-shaped wool weights survive from the reign of Henry VII onwards. This example shows the Royal Arms of England.