A large Old Babylonian green jadeite stone weight in the shape of a duck. The bird is depicted with its head turned backwards to rest on its back. The feathers, the down and the eyes of the duck are outlined by fine incised lines. The weight base is flat and incised with folded duck feet. There is a minor chip on the item's rear side on one of the wings. Known as the ‘sleeping duck’, this shape is amongst the most popular for Near Eastern weights. It was commonly used in Mesopotamia during the Early Babylonian period as a weight system, and was introduced into Anatolia by an Assyrian merchant. A great number of duck weights have found throughout the Near East and in Anatolian sites. Provenance: Ex JL collection 2000's; Ex collection of the famous TV personality and anthropologist Desmond Morris, Oxford 1980's. Measurements: Circa L 5.8cm x W 2.4cm x H 3.3cm