Sets of scales with weights, Iran, 1801-1900

Made:
1801-1900 in Iran
maker:
Unknown
3 sets of scales with weights and accessories in lacquered

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3 sets of scales with weights and accessories in lacquered
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

3 sets of scales with weights and accessories in lacquered wooden box, Iranian, 19th century

This elaborately decorated box contains three sets of equal balance arm scales and weights. Equal balance arm scales suspend two disk shaped pans off either end of a horizontal pole. The weights in either pan must be equal for the pole to remain horizontal.

Ingenious locking mechanisms reveal hidden aspects of the box. A spring-loaded button releases a small removable box containing a tiny set of scales, and removing a delicate pin reveals a hidden mirror. This example of boxed weighing scales dates from 1800s Iran. It was used in the medicine and jewellery trades. Both trades required the precise measurements of goods.

Details

Category:
Pharmacy-ware
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A128419
Materials:
box, brass, box, wood, box, glass, scales, steel and scales, brass
Measurements:
fully opened: 67 mm x 322 mm x 366 mm, 3.26 kg
closed: 90 mm x 322 mm x 188 mm, 3.26 kg
type:
scales - weighing device
credit:
Putrus

Parts

Set of scales with ornate filigree work on steel beam

Set of scales with ornate filigree work on steel beam

Set of scales with ornate filigree work on steel beam, and brass pans, Iran, 19th century

Measurements:
height 550 mm
length 430 mm
width 126 mm
Materials:
steel , brass and cotton
Object Number:
A128419 Pt1
type:
scales
Set of scales with plain steel beam

Set of scales with plain steel beam

Set of scales with plain steel beam, box-like ends, brass pans

Measurements:
height 230 mm
width 165 mm
depth 47 mm
Materials:
steel , brass and cotton
Object Number:
A128419 Pt2
type:
scales
Set of scales with steel beam

Set of scales with steel beam

Set of scales with steel beam, box-like beam ends, plated brass pans

Measurements:
length 184 mm
width 129 mm
depth 37 mm
Materials:
steel , brass and cotton
Object Number:
A128419 Pt3
type:
scales
Set of 5 cylindrical brass weights

Set of 5 cylindrical brass weights

Set of 5 cylindrical brass weights, each with hinged grip on top

Measurements:
largest: height 45 mm
largest: diameter 43 mm
smallest: height 21 mm
smallest: diameter 21 mm
Materials:
brass
Object Number:
A128419 Pt4
type:
weight sets
Set of 5 cylindrical brass weights

Set of 5 cylindrical brass weights

Set of 5 cylindrical brass weights, each with knob on top

Measurements:
largest: height 18 mm
largest: diameter 17 mm
smallest: height 12 mm
smallest: diameter 9 mm
Materials:
brass
Object Number:
A128419 Pt5
type:
weight sets
Set of 6 rectangular weights

Set of 6 rectangular weights

Set of 6 rectangular weights, within small box in sub-compartment of main box

Measurements:
largest: length 17 mm
largest: width 16 mm
largest: depth 3 mm
smallest: length 8 mm
smallest: width 8 mm
smallest: depth 1 mm
Materials:
brass
Object Number:
A128419 Pt6
type:
weight sets
Plain pair of steel tweezers

Plain pair of steel tweezers

Plain pair of steel tweezers

Measurements:
length 79 mm
width 17 mm
Materials:
steel
Object Number:
A128419 Pt7
type:
tweezers
Brass inkwell with hinged lid

Brass inkwell with hinged lid

Brass inkwell with hinged lid

Measurements:
length 52 mm
width 22 mm
depth 13 mm
Materials:
brass
Object Number:
A128419 Pt8
type:
inkwells
Spirit level

Spirit level

Spirit level, glass tube containing yellow liquid

Measurements:
length 116 mm
depth 7 mm
Materials:
glass
Object Number:
A128419 Pt9
type:
spirit levels
Steel beam in 2 sections which screw together

Steel beam in 2 sections which screw together

Steel beam in 2 sections which screw together

Measurements:
length 517 mm
width 11 mm
depth 5 mm
Materials:
steel
Object Number:
A128419 Pt10
type:
beams
rectangular mirror in painted wooden frame

rectangular mirror in painted wooden frame

rectangular mirror in painted wooden frame

Measurements:
length 187 mm
width 108 mm
depth 11 mm
Materials:
glass and wood
Object Number:
A128419 Pt11
type:
mirrors
Lacquered wooden box for 3 sets of scales with weights and accessories

Lacquered wooden box for 3 sets of scales with weights and accessories

Lacquered wooden box for 3 sets of scales with weights and accessories, Iranian, 19th century

Measurements:
length 320 mm
width 184 mm
depth 73 mm
Materials:
brass (copper, zinc alloy) , glass , steel (metal) and wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
A128419 Pt12
type:
case