Antique French Breveté s.g.d.g. Cast Iron Two-Pan Balance Scale, Circa 1890

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Description

Impressive late-19th-century French two-pan balance scale retaining a beautifully aged original surface and bearing the desirable “BREVETÉ S.G.D.G.” French patent … Read more Impressive late-19th-century French two-pan balance scale retaining a beautifully aged original surface and bearing the desirable “BREVETÉ S.G.D.G.” French patent mark.
Dating to approximately 1890–1900, this unusually large example features an elaborate architectural cast-iron base supporting a pierced lyre-form central standard, arrow-form balance indicator and long horizontal weighing beam. Two generous circular weighing pans are suspended from tall hand-formed metal frames.
Far more decorative than a typical commercial scale, the elaborate silhouette gives this piece an almost sculptural presence. Decades of natural oxidation and patination have produced a rich dark brown, reddish and subtly verdigris surface that emphasizes its authentic industrial character.
Originally intended as a functional weighing instrument, today it makes an exceptional decorative object for a kitchen, library, shop display, restaurant, wine room or collection of antique scientific and industrial instruments.
Marked “BREVETÉ S.G.D.G.”, a historic French patent designation. See less