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Bismar Scale, 20th Century
Laos
Wood, metal and fiber; 7 5/8 × 3/4 × 3/4 in.
2019.23.73
Gif…
Bismar Scale
Bismar Scale, 20th Century
Laos
Wood, metal and fiber; 7 5/8 × 3/4 × 3/4 in.
2019.23.73
Gif…
Bismar Scale, 20th Century Laos Wood, metal and fiber; 7 5/8 × 3/4 × 3/4 in. 2019.23.73 Gift of Anne and Long Shung Shih

Bismar Scale

ClassificationsTools and Equipment-scales
Date20th Century
Made AtLaos, Asia
MediumWood, metal and fiber
Dimensions7 5/8 × 3/4 × 3/4 in. (19.4 × 1.9 × 1.9 cm)
Credit LineGift of Anne and Long Shung Shih
Object number2019.23.73
DescriptionThis is a bismar scale used throughout Southeast Asia to measure metals, foodstuffs, medicines and other commodities. Due to the usage of these scales during colonial rule in the 18th and 19th Centuries, they are often referred to as "opium" scales. Depending on where they are from in Southeast Asia, these scales can be made of many mediums. Examples from Laos have a sturdy wood beam with some lead coating, at least at the tip. Fiber is used for the suspension cord, to attach the plate on which goods are measured, and to secure the slide weight which can be moved up and down the length of the beam to provide an accurate reading of something’s weight.
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Bismar Scale, 20th Century
Laos
Wood, metal and fiber; 6 5/8 × 5/8 × 5/8 in.
2019.23.72
Gif…
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Bismar Scale, 20th Century
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2019.23.74
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Bismar Scale, 20th Century
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2019.23.76
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Bismar Scale, 20th Century
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Wood, metal and fiber; 9 3/4 × 3/4 × 3/4 in.
2019.23.77
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Bismar Scale, 20th Century
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Wood, metal and fiber; 9 7/8 × 7/8 × 7/8 in.
2019.23.78
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Bismar Scale, 20th Century
Laos
Wood, metal and fiber; 10 1/8 × 7/8 × 7/8 in.
2019.23.79
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Bismar Scale, 20th Century
Laos
Wood, metal, fiber and tortoiseshell; 17 3/4 × 7/8 × 3/4 in. …
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Weight, 20th Century
Laos
Bronze; 3/8 × 1/2 × 1/2 in.
2019.23.63
Gift of Anne and Long Shun…
20th Century
Weight, 20th Century
Laos
Bronze; 3/8 × 1/2 × 1/2 in.
2019.23.64
Gift of Anne and Long Shun…
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Weight, 20th Century
Laos
Bronze; 1/2 × 5/8 × 5/8 in.
2019.23.65
Gift of Anne and Long Shun…
20th Century
Weight, 20th Century
Laos
Bronze; 3/4 × 7/8 × 7/8 in.
2019.23.66
Gift of Anne and Long Shun…
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