19th C. Chinese Qing Dynasty Brass & Bone Scale w/ Case

East Asia, China, Qing Dynasty, ca. 1850s CE. A simple bovine bone and brass scale with the original wooden case. The scale is comprised of a bone balance bar with black stippling to indicate measurements, a brass balance weight, and a shallow brass pan. Both brass pieces are suspended from the bone beam with cords. The scale can collapse and fits inside of the paddle shaped case, which is hand carved from wood and swings open on a rivet. Westerners may think of this as an "opium scale" but these scales were used for weighing many different precious items, such as gold or medicinal herbs. Size of case: 14.5" L x 3.5" W (36.8 cm x 8.9 cm); bone beam: 10.5" L (26.7 cm); pan: 3" Diameter (7.6 cm)

Provenance: private Glorieta, New Mexico, USA collection, acquired before 2009

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#161816
Condition Report: Fraying and tearing to cords. Natural ossification of the bone on one tip. Scuffs, chips, abrasions to wooden case, and missing part of metal latch. Mineral deposits and patina on brass areas.