Accession Number

1986.008.0920

Creation Date

circa 1700

Description

 A dagger, crown and scale mark on one side, flat on the other.

Exhibition Label

A lead weight recovered from the 1700 English slave ship Henrietta Marie is roughly 6.2 cm in diameter and weighs almost exactly one pound. This scale weight reflects the mercantile aspects of the slaver’s mission, as the ship’s crew traded many cargoes that had to be weighed. The weight was certified by multiple agencies: It is stamped with a crowned WM, representing King William III; the Guildhall Dagger for the City of London; and an angel holding scales, the mark of the Plumber’s Guild. Another, smaller counterpart to this weight was also recovered from the shipwreck and can be seen here: https://skfb.ly/697PH .