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Buy this image as a print
BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
LicenseApothecary's balance with steel beam and brass pans in wooden
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Apothecary's balance with steel beam and brass pans in wooden
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Apothecary's balance with steel beam and brass pans in wooden box with 9 assorted weights, made by Young and Son, London, English, 1750-1837
This balance would have been used to accurately weigh out ingredients for drugs. The pans are connected to the steel beam by green cotton cords. The large tassel in the middle is to help establish when the weight in the two pans is equal. The balance comes with nine brass weights. The label on the inside lid shows three scales for weights. The Apothecary scale was only used in a pharmacy. The Troy scale is now used to weigh silver and gold and other precious metals. The Avoirdupois scale was used for all other goods.
Details
- Category:
- Pharmacy-ware
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A656024
- Materials:
- complete, mahogany (wood), brass (copper, zinc alloy), silk velvet, steel (metal) and cotton (fibre)
- Measurements:
-
overall (case open): 40 mm x 175 mm x 167 mm, 0.1831 kg
- type:
- balance
