{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O136076"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O136076/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2009CA2908/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2009CA2908/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2009CA2908","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2018KP2809","copyright":"©Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O136076/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O136076","accessionNumber":"1205:1 to 11-1864","objectType":"Nest of weights","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"The weight makers in Nuremberg were particularly renowned for their nests of weights; richly decorated containers holding bucket shaped weights that fitted one inside the other. The Nuremberg town council kept a tight control over how such objects were made. Each bucket had to be individually tested to make sure that it corresponded exactly to the right weight. Each nest had to be stamped with the Nuremberg town mark (the letter N). The accuracy of weights and measures was essential for the credibility of the merchants using them. The tight controls on production in Nuremberg and the use of the town mark helped to ensure and identify the quality of the product.","physicalDescription":"Bronze nest of weights the handle chased in the form of human busts and serpents holding a crown in their mouths, the clasp in the form of a winged monster.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"bronze","id":"AAT10957"}],"techniques":[{"text":"cast","id":"x32615"},{"text":"turned","id":"AAT53158"},{"text":"chased","id":"AAT54016"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Bronze, cast, turned and chased","categories":[{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2009CA2908","2018KP2809"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"63 (VA)","id":"THES49737"},"free":"","case":"CA6","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"63 (VA)","id":"THES49737"},"free":"","case":"CA6","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"63 (VA)","id":"THES49737"},"free":"","case":"CA6","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"63 (VA)","id":"THES49737"},"free":"","case":"CA6","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"63 (VA)","id":"THES49737"},"free":"","case":"CA6","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"63 (VA)","id":"THES49737"},"free":"","case":"CA6","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"63 (VA)","id":"THES49737"},"free":"","case":"CA6","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"63 (VA)","id":"THES49737"},"free":"","case":"CA6","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"63 (VA)","id":"THES49737"},"free":"","case":"CA6","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"63 (VA)","id":"THES49737"},"free":"","case":"CA6","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"63 (VA)","id":"THES49737"},"free":"","case":"CA6","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Nest of Weights","id":""}],[{"text":"weight (scale component)","id":""}],[{"text":"weight (scale component)","id":""}],[{"text":"weight (scale component)","id":""}],[{"text":"weight (scale component)","id":""}],[{"text":"weight (scale component)","id":""}],[{"text":"weight (scale component)","id":""}],[{"text":"weight (scale component)","id":""}],[{"text":"weight (scale component)","id":""}],[{"text":"weight (scale component)","id":""}],[{"text":"weight (scale component)","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Nuremberg","id":"x29057"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"ca. 1550","earliest":"1545-01-01","latest":"1554-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"26","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"with handle upright","note":""},{"dimension":"Diameter","value":"13","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"at base","note":""},{"dimension":"Diameter","value":"16","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"at top","note":""},{"dimension":"Weight","value":"14.92","unit":"kg","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"Measured for the Medieval and Renaissance Galleries. Width of top c. 22 cm incl. hinge / catch; the front catch protrudes c. 5 cm","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"Purchase\n\nHistorical significance: This object, although functional, displays the sculptural ability of the Nuremberg weight makers. It is not only an example of a widely produced object from the 16th century, but an illustration of how high quality craftsmanship, metal production and merchant trade converged in Nuremberg in this period.","historicalContext":"The weight makers in Nuremberg were particularly renowned for their nests of weights; richly decorated containers holding bucket shaped weights that fitted on inside the other. The Nuremberg town council kept a tight control over how such objects were made. Each bucket had to be individually tested to make sure that it corresponded exactly to the right weight. Each nest had to be stamped with the Nuremberg town mark (the letter N) unless being exported. The accuracy of weights and measures was essential for the credibility and trade of the merchants using them. The tight controls on production in Nuremberg and the use of the town mark helped to ensure and identify the quality of the product.","briefDescription":"Container for nest of weights, around 1550, maximum weight 32lbs. 16.6 x 23 cm\n\nfrom a nest of  10 weights, attributed to Hans Kurtz. Mid 16th century\n\nfrom a nest of  10 weights, attributed to Hans Kurtz. Mid 16th century\n\nfrom a nest of  10 weights, attributed to Hans Kurtz. Mid 16th century\n\nfrom a nest of  10 weights, attributed to Hans Kurtz. Mid 16th century\n\nfrom a nest of  10 weights, attributed to Hans Kurtz. Mid 16th century\n\nfrom a nest of  10 weights, attributed to Hans Kurtz. Mid 16th century\n\nfrom a nest of  10 weights, attributed to Hans Kurtz. Mid 16th century\n\nfrom a nest of  10 weights, attributed to Hans Kurtz. Mid 16th century\n\nfrom a nest of  10 weights, attributed to Hans Kurtz. Mid 16th century\n\nfrom a nest of  10 weights, attributed to Hans Kurtz. Mid 16th century","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Turner, Eric, <u>An Introduction to Brass</u>, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1982, pl.10, p.26-7"},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Hanns- Ulrich Haedeke, <u>Metalwork</u>, Vivienne Menkes (trans), Weidenfeld and Nicolson, London, 1970, pp.83-85"}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["1205:1-1864","1205:4-1864","1205:2-1864","1205:3-1864","1205:5-1864","1205:6-1864","1205:7-1864","1205:8-1864","1205:9-1864","1205:10-1864","1205:11-1864"],"accessionNumberNum":"1205","accessionNumberPrefix":"","accessionYear":1864,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE","Nest of Weights","weight (scale component) [1]","weight (scale component) [2]","weight (scale component) [3]","weight (scale component) [4]","weight (scale component) [5]","weight (scale component) [6]","weight (scale component) [7]","weight (scale component) [8]","weight (scale component) [9]","weight (scale component) [10]"],"assets":["2017KJ7577"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-11-14","recordCreationDate":"2007-06-08","availableToBook":false}}