Korean and Southeast Asian Art:Metalwork


Antique Burmese Set Five Bronze Opium Weights Mythical Toe Creature
item#: 1402078
price: SOLD
Set of five Burmese bronze opium weights in the form of a “Toe,” a mythical creature with a lion face and horse tail and hoofs believed to inhabit the Himalayan forest. Each is on a sloping rectangular base. The larger two have a nine-star flower seal on the side of the base. The largest has a curved handle attached to the back of the head and top of the tail. Generally referred to as opium weights, they were used to measure all types of food and raw materials in the conduct of commercial activity. Opium weights were cast by the lost wax (cire perdue) process. The heights of these weights are 3,” 2 1/4,” 1 3/4,” 1 1/8,” and just under 1.” The base of the largest is nearly 1 1/2” diameter. Weights in grams are 332 (20 ticals), 161 (10 ticals), 83 (5 ticals), 32 (2 ticals), and 17 (1 tical). 19th century. Very good overall condition with a nice patina. This set is from a Phoenix, Arizona collection.

Antique Burmese Set Five Bronze Opium Weights Mythical Toe Creature
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