ANCIENT DESEMERS OR STEELYARDS. 



559 



(Chesiuin). Although of a peculiar form, it is a regular de.semer, 

 having- the distinctive characteristics of a fixed counterpoise and 

 nK)val>l(> fulcrum and consisting essentially of two pieces. Shortly 

 after its purchase it was made the subject of conuniinications to the 

 Berlin Archeological Society hy Messrs. Robert and Lchniann.' This 

 bronze instrument is in the form of a pillar whose capital and base 

 are cut into steps. Springing from the under side of the base is the 



Fkj. It). — jrusciini (if (ii'i'inaii Costumes. Two-fifteriitlis natural size. 



front half of a panther, finely worked. This is the countei'poisc. At 

 the liead of the pillar there is an e3'elet from which hang three hooks, 

 each terminating in a swan's head. Parallel to the pillar and above it 

 (when the balance is in use) is a straight bridge, fiat in the vertical 

 plane, which carries a scale of numbers. For every number there is 

 a notch in the under side of the ])ridge. Instead of the usual suspen- 



FlG. 17.— Twn-lifteeutlis uulural size. 



sory thread there is a bronze handle, in which a slit or oblong hole 

 incloses the bridge.^ The lower part of the handles .n tfie form ot a 

 plate, and the lower edge of the hole in it, which edge is horizontal, .s 

 sharp enough to enter loosely in the notches in the bridge. 



In 1898, Assistant J3irector Pernice subjected the^balance to an 



- TArchiu^gisd^Anzeiger, 1889, S. 117; 1891, S. 138. 



