Wooden chest containing 3 balances, stand, weights and accessories

Made:
1801-1900 in Iran
maker:
Unknown
Rectangular, painted wooden chest containing 3 balances, stand Rectangular, painted wooden chest containing 3 balances, stand
Rectangular, painted wooden chest containing 3 balances, stand Rectangular, painted wooden chest containing 3 balances, stand

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Rectangular, painted wooden chest containing 3 balances, stand
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Rectangular, painted wooden chest containing 3 balances, stand
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Rectangular, painted wooden chest containing 3 balances, stand, weights and accessories, Persian, 1801-1900

This elaborately decorated box contains three separate sets of scales, with a stand. It also contains weights and tweezers of varying sizes which slot into custom-made compartments. These may have been used within the medicine and jewellery trades. Both trades required the precise measurements of goods. The 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.

Details

Category:
Pharmacy-ware
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A128420
Materials:
wood and cloth
Measurements:
overall: 90 mm x 490 mm x 315 mm,
type:
scales - weighing device
credit:
Putrus

Parts

Large apothecary's balance

Large apothecary's balance

Large apothecary's balance with steel beam and brass pans suspended from very long silk cords

Measurements:
beam: length 265 mm
shears: length 170 mm
pans: diameter 111 mm
Materials:
steel , brass , silver (plated), ? material and silk
Object Number:
A128420 Pt1
type:
scales
Apothecary's balance, steel beam, brass pans

Apothecary's balance, steel beam, brass pans

Apothecary's balance with steel beam and brass pans, cords for suspending pans now missing

Measurements:
beam: length 175 mm
pans: diameter 63 mm
shears: length 85 mm
Materials:
brass and steel
Object Number:
A128420 Pt2
type:
scales
Small apothecary's balance

Small apothecary's balance

Tiny apothecary's balance, with steel beam and tiny brass pans suspended from pink silk cord

Measurements:
beam: length 88 mm
pans: diameter 31 mm
shears: length 56 mm
Materials:
brass , steel and silk
Object Number:
A128420 Pt3
type:
scales
Stand from which the various balances hang. Fits into slot in box to keep it steady

Stand from which the various balances hang. Fits into slot in box to keep it steady

Stand from which the various balances hang. Fits into slot in box to keep it steady, sliding inner rod to raise or lower balance

Measurements:
length 390 mm
arm: width 110 mm
Materials:
steel and brass
Object Number:
A128420 Pt4
type:
stands
Beam or measure in two pieces

Beam or measure in two pieces

Beam or measure in 2 pieces which screws together

Measurements:
length 515 mm
max.: width 8 mm
Materials:
steel
Object Number:
A128420 Pt5
type:
beams
Elaborately decorated large tweezers

Elaborately decorated large tweezers

Elaborately decorated large tweezers

Measurements:
length 173 mm
max.: width 25 mm
Materials:
steel and silver (plated), ? material
Object Number:
A128420 Pt6
type:
tweezers
Small tweezers with key-hole shape finial

Small tweezers with key-hole shape finial

Small tweezers with key-hole shape finial, surmounted by turned point

Measurements:
length 90 mm
max.: width 10 mm
Materials:
steel
Object Number:
A128420 Pt7
type:
tweezers
Short tweezers, bent ends, long pointed finial

Short tweezers, bent ends, long pointed finial

Short tweezers, bent ends, long pointed finial

Measurements:
length 145 mm
max.: width 7 mm
Materials:
steel
Object Number:
A128420 Pt8
type:
tweezers
Dividers, hinged at top, ornate finial

Dividers, hinged at top, ornate finial

Steel dividers(?), hinged at top, ornate finial

Measurements:
length 145 mm
max.: width 10 mm
Materials:
steel
Object Number:
A128420 Pt9
type:
dividers
Dividers, ornate hinge on second arm

Dividers, ornate hinge on second arm

Steel dividers, 2 arms with second arm on one ornate hinge

Measurements:
length 150 mm
max.: width 12 mm
Materials:
steel
Object Number:
A128420 Pt10
type:
dividers
Set of twelve brass weights

Set of twelve brass weights

Set of 12 brass weights, of unknown denomination, tapering cylinder shape, with knob

Measurements:
max.: height 40 mm
max.: diameter 44 mm
min: height 7 mm
min: diameter 8 mm
Materials:
brass
Object Number:
A128420 Pt11
type:
weights
Small square brass weight

Small square brass weight

Small square brass weight, with 16 punched on obverse, stored in box with smaller balance

Measurements:
length 12 mm
width 13 mm
Materials:
brass
Object Number:
A128420 Pt12
type:
weights
Five seeds, in small lidded compartment

Five seeds, in small lidded compartment

5 small yellowish seeds, in small compartment with lid

Measurements:
max.: diameter 10 mm
Materials:
seed
Object Number:
A128420 Pt13
type:
seeds
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Chest for the balances and accesories

Chest for the balances and accesories

Rectangular, painted wooden chest for 3 balances, stand, weights and accessories, Persian, 1801-1900

Measurements:
length 315 mm
width 490 mm
where foot remains: depth 90 mm
Materials:
wood (unidentified) and textile
Object Number:
A128420 Pt14
type:
case

Related Objects

Mortar decorated with fine latitudinal lines

Silver pill box, England, 1801-1900

Wooden pill box in six sections

Silver pill box, France, 1801-1900

Oval lacquered tin box with hinged lid

Mortar decorated with coat of arms