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Zodiac Dog Opium Weight Laos EOW145

$325.00

Cast in the form of a dog, this 19thC opium weight is from Phongsali, Laos, where animal weights of the zodiac were commonly used to weigh opium cultivated by the Hmong and other hill tribe groups. Other animal weights cast in Laos and Siam include the tiger, pig, dog, monkey, elephant, bull, horse, rabbit, bird and more.

Availability: In stock

Opium weights in the form of Chinese solar zodiac animals are most commonly found in Northern Laos and Northern Thailand. Genuine weights from the 19th century and earlier are scarcely seen today, the vast majority having disappeared into collections around the world.

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. As the mass unit varied over time, weights were adjusted by removing or adding bronze from or to the base.

Characteristics
Height: 2.9cm, 1.14 in
Base Length: 3.9cm, 1.5 in
Weight: 130 gram
Period: 19th Century

Read more about our Opium Weight Collection
Read Blog on Siamese / Laotian Opium Weights
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