Name: Siamese Monkey Opium Weight EOW159
SKU: EOW159
Price: 185.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Siamese Monkey Opium Weight EOW159

$185.00

This is a rare form of Lao opium weight in the form of a monkey with baby. It is one of the many forms of animal weights of the zodiac that were cast in Siam and Laos. Other forms include the rabbit, bull, dog, horse, snake, elephant, deer, pig, and other bird forms. We acquired this weight in Northern Thailand where only a very small number of genuine weights remain. It is very nicely cast using high quality bronze with an attractive patina.

Availability: In stock

Zodiac opium weights were often adjusted to match the modified mass unit which varied over time by removing a little alloy from the base of the weight. Laotian and Siamese opium weights were generally less accurate than Burmese weights. The mass scales varied from 11.8 grams to 16.3 grams. In 1826AD the mass unit was reported as 11.8 grams.

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.

Characteristics

Height: 2.5cm, 1in
Base: 1.7cm, .69 in
Weight: 24 grams
Period: Early 19th Century

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