Circa 1900 French Black Cast Iron and White Marble Balance Scale With Scrolled Column

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Made in France around 1900, this balance scale pairs a heavy cast iron beam and base with two pans of … Read more Made in France around 1900, this balance scale pairs a heavy cast iron beam and base with two pans of white marble. A pierced, scrolled column rises from the center, lyre-like in outline, and the beam is fixed with visible screws and stamped roundels. The black iron has the dense, softly pitted surface of old casting, and the pale, lightly veined marble pans stand out against it. Scales like this once stood on the counters of French shops, where marble pans were often chosen for goods like butter, cheese and confectionery because the stone stays cool and is easy to clean. France was the birthplace of the metric system, and a good balance was the shopkeeper’s most trusted tool. It would make a strong sculptural piece on a kitchen island, console or bookshelf, and the deep black and white palette suits both rustic and modern rooms. See less