Los 8650

Set of bronze opium weights in the shape of the mythical To or Chinthe, a mythical lion prominent also in Chinese mythology (ca. 1600-1860AD). The weights were used in commerce, to weight ingots of various metals. When the primary purpose of these weights in everyday commerce was rendered obsolete by introduction of coinage during the 1880's, they did preserve some function in pursuance of the opium trade - 2232.11, 116.52, 76.55, 54.57, 34.81 & 19.58 g. - 6 pieces total (MNI2841-42)