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Objets D'art

Albeit in modern parlance known as opium weights, these small bronze incremental weights were used to weigh all manner of things such as silver, gold, gems, spices, pearls and costly medicines for heavier, more common products marble weights were used. Items were measured using a beam and two baskets, one in which an animal weight would be placed, the other, the item to be weighed.

Opium weights were produced in Burma until 1885, when the British assumed rule, after which they were replaced with uninteresting iron weights.

The weights and measures system in Burma was subject to the scrutiny of the king who would have a set of weights made of his choosing. A perfect set of these weights would be kept in the Hlut-taw or Supreme Council of State. Burmese were made in two forms; the bird and the beast with many varieties of each appearing through the succession of kings and queens. The Burmese mass unit is known as the tical or kyat,

There is great symbolism attached to both the bird and beast weights. The bird was associated with Buddhism and spiritual purity and provided a link between heaven and earth and therefore was thought to accurately reflect mass and distinguish between pure and impure metals. The beast is thought to represent the Bodhisattva or one who seeks to free all sentient beings from suffering.

Dimensions of largest piece - Height - 5cms, Width - 3cms, Length - 4cms

Set of 19th Century Bronze Burmese Chinte Beasts (4)

Part set of 19th century Beast opium weights

£150

aod35

Vintage Carved Set of Matryoshka Nesting Dolls

£115

ov15

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Vintage Matryoshka Nesting Dolls

£85

ov14

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