Balance or scale (2) - Wood

Chinese opium scale and Burmese opium weight.

Beautiful and completely preserved 19th-century Chinese dengzi precision scale from the Qing period. Used by pharmacists and traders for weighing herbs, spices, and opium.
Original parts available
Weighing scale with calibration strips.
round metal weighing tray
small metal counterweight
original strings
Fish-shaped wooden case with a metal clasp.
In beautiful patina, rare in this complete condition.

Together with antique Burmese opium weights. These weights were often used for measuring basic needs and valuable goods, such as spices, gold, silver, and pearls. They were made and used in Myanmar (Burma), but also in Thailand and Laos from the 16th to the early 20th century. Each piece is unique because these weights were crafted using the lost wax technique.