Burmese antique Opium weight Burma No 1

Opium weight, Burma

Bronze opium weight, Burma.

Style: 
In Burmese – to-aung (bull/lion) or Thai singha style. A singha is a mythological, lion-like creature from Thai Buddhist mythology.

Opium weights were used not only as units of opium measurement, but used in everyday transactions where items were traded by weight.

They were produced in a range of different designs, primarily based on animals or creatures from local religion/mythology.

They were produced in series from very small weights to much larger sizes.

Although the units of measurement do not correspond neatly to western scales of measurement, there is a proportional relationship, between the various sizes in a series.

Dimensions: 
6.5 cm high x 4 cm wide x 4.5 cm deep.

Weight:
312g.

Date: 
19th century.