Description:

East Asia, China, Qing Dynasty, ca. 19th century CE. An unequal arm balance scale with a brass pan scale attached by cotton cords to the bone beam, with a carved wood case for storing the instrument. The bone is stippled along the length to denote measurements of the load arm and the brass counterweight would have been attached to the other end. This tool is often described as an opium scale since that was one common use for these, however they were used for measuring a wide variety of apothecary or merchant goods such as herbs, spices, and precious metals. Size of bone beam: 10.3" L (26.2 cm); pan: 3.25" Diameter (8.3 cm); case: 13" L x 3.5" W x 1" H (33 cm x 8.9 cm x 2.5 cm)

Provenance: private Bali, Indonesia collection

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#182987

  • Condition: Fair condition. Losses to brass pan as shown. Old Losses to the wood case with chips and abrasions throughout. Counterweight has a modern nylon cord. Heavy patina to brass pan and bone.

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December 14, 2023 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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