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A Set of Three Burmese Bronze Opium Weights – 19th Cty. browse these categories for related items... All Items: Antiques:Regional Art:Asian:Southeast Asian:Metalwork: Pre 1900: item # 901341 Please refer to our stock # COLL 9040 when inquiring.
Ichiban Japanese & Oriental Antiques Post Office Box 395 Marion, CT 06444-0395 203.272.7392 Guest Book $275.00 |
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This is a fine set of three graduated Burmese opium weights in Hintha (a mythical duck like bird) form. They were made in the lost wax technique and have fine old patina. The largest of the three measures 2 ¾” tall – the middle sized one measures 2” tall and the smallest is 1 ¾” tall. The three are all in fine shape other than the fact that the tallest one has his beak slightly bent downwards. The term opium weight is not an accurate description of their use - in real life they were used to weigh all many things including silver, gold, gems, spices, pearls and costly medicines to mention a few. Yet, the term opium weight has persisted. There were several animal forms of these weights - the bird weights are often referred to as the hamsa, hansa and hintha which are Pali and Sanskrit names for geese. The bird was associated with Buddhism and spiritual purity and provided a link between heaven and earth and therefore was thought to accurately reflect mass and distinguish between pure and impure metals. There are many later fakes on the market; however, we believe these to be old and dating from the 18th to early 19th century. Genuine weights are normally quite dark like this set of three, sometimes with a reddish color due to a high copper content with older weights or in some cases silvery, when silver or extra tin was added to the alloy. |
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