Sets of scales with weights, Iran, 1801-1900

Made:
1801-1900 in Iran
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

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

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

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

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

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

Materials:
brass
Object Number:
A128419 Pt6
type:
weight sets
Plain pair of steel tweezers

Plain pair of steel tweezers

Plain pair of steel tweezers

Materials:
steel
Object Number:
A128419 Pt7
type:
tweezers
Brass inkwell with hinged lid

Brass inkwell with hinged lid

Brass inkwell with hinged lid

Materials:
brass
Object Number:
A128419 Pt8
type:
inkwells
Spirit level

Spirit level

Spirit level, glass tube containing yellow liquid

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

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

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

Materials:
box, brass , box, wood , box, glass , scales, steel and scales, brass
Object Number:
A128419 Pt12
type:
case