Glass Weight of al-Zahir c. 11th century

Editor: Here we have a glass weight by al-Zahir. It's very small and the inscription is worn. How do you interpret this object? Curator: It speaks to the power dynamics embedded within economic systems, doesn't it? A weight, seemingly insignificant, actually dictated value and access. It represents the enforcement of standards, reflecting the authority of al-Zahir, and the systems of control operating in that period. Editor: So, it's not just a weight; it's a symbol of power? Curator: Precisely! Consider whose labor produced the goods being weighed, and who benefited from standardized trade. This object quietly reveals hierarchies of privilege and exploitation. Editor: I never thought about it that way. Thank you! Curator: Of course! Thinking about art as a tool to interpret history and power is always valuable.