Working tool - Burmese brass balances
05
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€ 1
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Selected by Anna Hue-Roques
Holds bachelor's degrees in Law and Art History with an Ecole du Louvre auctioneer diploma.
Estimate € 110 - € 170
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Antique portable two‑pan balance from Myanmar dating to circa 1900–1910, with a hand‑worked brass balance arm, two circular brass pans suspended by cords, and a dark carved wooden case featuring vegetal motifs and a leonine mythological creature, weighing 144 g and measuring about 17.5 × 9 × 4 cm when closed.
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Description from the seller
Small antique portable two-pan balance, probably originating from Burma (Myanmar), datable approximately between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The balance features a hand-worked brass arm, with incised geometric decorations at both ends, a central indicator, and two circular brass pans suspended by cords. It is housed in its characteristic dark wood case, made specifically to contain the balance. The case is richly carved in bas-relief with vegetal motifs and with a mythical lion-like creature, probably linked to the Burmese To/Toe tradition, a composite figure present in Myanmar’s traditional iconography.
This type of small portable balance is often listed on the antique market as “opium scales”; historically, however, balances of this type were more generally used to weigh goods of small weight and value, including precious metals and other commercial goods.
The brass surface shows patina and oxidation consistent with age and use. The wood, dark covering and cords also show normal signs of time and use. No cleaning or restoration work has been performed.
Closed-case dimensions: approximately 17.5 × 9 × 4 cm.
Length of the balance arm: approximately 12 cm.
Diameter of the pans: approximately 5.5 cm.
Total weight: 144 g.
No factory mark or signature identified.
Sold in the condition visible in the photographs, which are an integral part of the description.
Small antique portable two-pan balance, probably originating from Burma (Myanmar), datable approximately between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The balance features a hand-worked brass arm, with incised geometric decorations at both ends, a central indicator, and two circular brass pans suspended by cords. It is housed in its characteristic dark wood case, made specifically to contain the balance. The case is richly carved in bas-relief with vegetal motifs and with a mythical lion-like creature, probably linked to the Burmese To/Toe tradition, a composite figure present in Myanmar’s traditional iconography.
This type of small portable balance is often listed on the antique market as “opium scales”; historically, however, balances of this type were more generally used to weigh goods of small weight and value, including precious metals and other commercial goods.
The brass surface shows patina and oxidation consistent with age and use. The wood, dark covering and cords also show normal signs of time and use. No cleaning or restoration work has been performed.
Closed-case dimensions: approximately 17.5 × 9 × 4 cm.
Length of the balance arm: approximately 12 cm.
Diameter of the pans: approximately 5.5 cm.
Total weight: 144 g.
No factory mark or signature identified.
Sold in the condition visible in the photographs, which are an integral part of the description.
Details
Era
1900-2000
Weight
144 g
Country of Origin
Myanmar/Burma
Material
Brass, Wood
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes
Height
9 cm
Width
17.5 cm
Depth
4 cm
Estimated period
1900-1910
Title additional information
Burmese brass balances
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