According to Gear*, while elephant weights are found occasionally in Laos, Burma and Yunnan, there is little doubt that the origin of elephant weights was in north-west Siam, the former Lan-Na kingdom of Siam (Thailand) and not Laos, the former Lan Chang. It’s thought that elephant weights made their first appearance in Siam as early as 1581AD. By the 1800s a variety of animal weights were in use and even traded as currency and include birds, snakes, buffalo, rabbits, dogs, horses and monkeys. Elephant weights were cast in Phongsali ( northern Laos), and Siam.
It is agreed that the animal weights of Siam and Laos were generally much less accurate than Burmese weights. Genuine elephant weights have a distinctly dark chocolate /silvery patina. This weight is most likely early 19th century or possibly late18th century.
* Earth to Heaven: The Royal Animal-Shaped Weights of the Burmese Empire Paperback , 2002 by Joan & Donald Gear
Characteristics
Height: 3cm, 1.2 in
Base: 2.5cm, 1 in x 2.2cm, .8 in
Weight: 58 grams / 2oz
Base lines: 3
Sign: 5 star (left)
Period: Late 18th – Early 19thC
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