Copper, Bronze - Siam/Burma - Late 20th century
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Set of three hand-cast bronze elephant-shaped opium weights from Burma/Siam, weighing 73.53 g, 129.04 g and 193.52 g, in good condition and authentic from a private collection, dating to the late 20th century.
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Description from the seller
Set of 3 Burmese/Siamese bronze elephant-opium weights
An ascending series of three hand-cast bronze weights in the shape of a standing elephant with curled trunk, each on a ribbed foot.
Quantity: 3 pieces (ascending sizes/weights)
Weight: 73.53 g / 129.04 g / 193.52 g
Material: bronze (copper alloy/bell metal)
Origin: Burma/Siam (Southeast Asia), traditionally used as a trading weight ("opium weight") in the historical kyat/tical system
Signs of use and layered, natural patina appropriate to age; no recent restoration
These three elephant-shaped weights form a handsome ascending set, each cast with a stylized head, curled trunk and a ribbed, bell-shaped foot with a continuous hole — presumably to thread them on a cord or simply to keep them together as a set.
The elephant form is considerably rarer within this type of weights than the more common duck form (hantha), which makes them particularly interesting for collectors.
Each weight has its own natural patina composed of dark, gray and ocher tones, with visible traces of active copper chloride corrosion on the smallest example — a feature that points to long-term natural aging and not easily artificially replicated.
Based on the traditional Burmese kyat weight system (1 kyat ≈ 16.3 g), the three pieces correspond to about 4½, 8 and 12 kyat.
Interested buyers with a particular interest in authentication are advised to consult an expert themselves.
Sale is offered on the basis of this description; no guarantees as to exact dating.
Weight
1. Small 73.53 g
2. Medium 129.04 g
3. Large 193.52 g
Shipping in well-packaged, protective form or pickup in Leiden.
Set of 3 Burmese/Siamese bronze elephant-opium weights
An ascending series of three hand-cast bronze weights in the shape of a standing elephant with curled trunk, each on a ribbed foot.
Quantity: 3 pieces (ascending sizes/weights)
Weight: 73.53 g / 129.04 g / 193.52 g
Material: bronze (copper alloy/bell metal)
Origin: Burma/Siam (Southeast Asia), traditionally used as a trading weight ("opium weight") in the historical kyat/tical system
Signs of use and layered, natural patina appropriate to age; no recent restoration
These three elephant-shaped weights form a handsome ascending set, each cast with a stylized head, curled trunk and a ribbed, bell-shaped foot with a continuous hole — presumably to thread them on a cord or simply to keep them together as a set.
The elephant form is considerably rarer within this type of weights than the more common duck form (hantha), which makes them particularly interesting for collectors.
Each weight has its own natural patina composed of dark, gray and ocher tones, with visible traces of active copper chloride corrosion on the smallest example — a feature that points to long-term natural aging and not easily artificially replicated.
Based on the traditional Burmese kyat weight system (1 kyat ≈ 16.3 g), the three pieces correspond to about 4½, 8 and 12 kyat.
Interested buyers with a particular interest in authentication are advised to consult an expert themselves.
Sale is offered on the basis of this description; no guarantees as to exact dating.
Weight
1. Small 73.53 g
2. Medium 129.04 g
3. Large 193.52 g
Shipping in well-packaged, protective form or pickup in Leiden.
Details
Dynastic Style/Period
Late 20th century
Number of objects
3
Country of Origin
Siam/Burma
Material
Bronze, Copper
Condition
Good condition
Provenance
Private collection
Authenticity
Original/official
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