Antique Hand-Carved Asian Dotchin or Opium Scale With Elephant Design

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Antique Hand-carved Asian Dotchin or Opium Scale with Elephant Design

Single brass pan scale with counterweight and beam, stored in … Read more Antique Hand-carved Asian Dotchin or Opium Scale with Elephant Design

Single brass pan scale with counterweight and beam, stored in a hand-carved wooden case with an elephant design. The case is held closed with a brass ring which slides to the hinged end to allow the case to slide open.

The pan hangs by strings from the beam. The counterweight hangs by string over the beam. The beam is held by a string threaded through the beam. After the item being weighed is placed in the pan the counterweight slides along the marked beam until balanced.

Case is 11⅛” long. Not certain the strings are original, but may be. Age unknown, possibly from the 19th century. Appears to be in good vintage condition. See less