Opium Weight 20 tical Bronze Burmese Bird 1796-1802 Rare Artifact Collectible

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From Tachilek, Burma, this 18^th (1700s) century bird weight is a charming 20 tical or kyat Burmese opium weight, formally referred to as the royal animal shaped weights of the Burmese empires. The weight shows expected wear for its period and has a rich dark patina. Authentic opium weights are becoming rare, and supplies in Burma and Thailand are fast drying up, while fakes are increasing in number.

The bird form symbolized for the Burmese, a link between earth and heaven and representing the flight of the soul. Please see below for dimensions,weight and shipping and further detail about opium weights from Burma.

Google sabai designs gallery to see our rarest opium weights from Burma

Characteristics
Height: 6cm, 2.4 in
Base: 4cm, 1.6 in
Weight: 282g  
Base plan: hexagonal
Base lines: Barely visible
Frequency: 49/1000
Period: 1796-1802
Form: bird

The History of Opium Weights

Burmese, along with the many minority ethnic groups that make up Burma's rich culture have been fashioning objects of beauty and utility for over 2000 years. From royal to peasant, finely crafted objects were used in everyday life. One of the most curious and engaging objects of daily use in Burma was the opium weight. The name opium weight, whimsically dubbed by later visitors to Burma, is somewhat a misnomer. These bronze zoomorphic weights of various styles were used to weigh a variety of materials including silver and gold ingots, pearls, rubies, coral, personal ornaments, spices, musk and costly medicines. More common products of daily commerce were weighed with dome shaped marble weights.

The earliest written evidence for the existence of animal weights is found in a palm leaf manuscript written by Nandabahu, an administrator during the time of Alaung-hpaya  (1752-60), which contains a list of weights and their usage. The earliest weights date from the 13-14th century Pinya-Ava period and are exclusively in the form of birds and beasts. The oldest weight I have personally seen is from the late 14th-early 15th century. These weights were also used over North Siam, Laos and Yunnan, the result of periodic domination by the Burmese in these regions.

Opium weights were made using the lost wax method, which may have reached Burma through Bengal or Yunnan. Great care was taken in weighing the amount of molten metal used in casting to ensure that the purported weight was accurate. The weights and measures system was subject to the scrutiny of the king or queen, who after assuming the throne, had a master set of weights made in the animal of his or her choosing. These were housed in the Supreme Council of State (Hlut-taw) and citizens were expected to ensure that the weights they used conformed to the standard weights. Animal shaped weights were cast in Burma up until the British took over Burma in 1885, after which uninteresting round iron weights were used.

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·     Shipping usually takes 7-14 days (but as little as 4 days for some destinations and up to 3 weeks for others)

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·      We agree to refund money paid for an item, less the cost of postage, or offer store credit to any customer not satisfied with an item

·     The item must be returned to us in its original condition, within 14 days of receipt to qualify for a refund or store credit

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About Us

sabai designs offers a dynamic collection of some of the most beautiful and interesting items available from Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Burma, Cambodia and India. Our products are hand made by skilled artists, craftsmen and women and are often ‘one of a kind’ pieces. We are constantly stocking our store with exotic new treasures that reflect the colourful cultures and traditions of the East. We hope to support traditional and emerging skills in developing countries by finding a global market for their rich and diverse creations. sabai designs also supports Elephant Nature Park, a sanctuary for elephants in northern Thailand.

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Contact Us

For inquires please contact Kristin or Scott at sabai@loxinfo.co.th

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sabai designs supports Elephant Nature Park, a sanctuary for injured and mistreated elephants in northern Thailand. The founder of the park, Sangduen 'Lek' Chailert, is an award winning conservationist who has been passionately championing the rights of the Asian elephant for decades.

www.elephantnaturefoundation.org

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