Website Directory BOOKS on Animal Weights
"Before the advent of a regular currendcy, transactions in the bazaars were made by weighing out lumps of metal, 'ganza', and in order to ensure that the correct amount of ganza was weighed out, the bullion merchants and shopkeepers used a series of weights which had been officially approved. The origin of these weights has not been established but it is thought that they were introduced to Thailand by the Burmese when they conquered Ayudhya in the sixteenth century, and as collectable pieces they are now commonly known as Siamese Opium Weights due to their use with the opium trade." (M. Robinson & L.A. Shaw, THE COINS AND BANKNOTES OF BURMA p.31)
There are three basic shapes which together make up 95% of the pieces found on the market today: Hantha (mythical ducklike bird), Ziwazo (mythical chickenlike bird), and To, or Chinthe, a dog-lion prominent also in Chinese mythology. There are variations within each type in the general shape of the animal, the geometry of the base, and practical features such as a tail extended to form a handle on some larger weights. Similar weighs, usually of small size, in the shape of elephants and the beasts of the Chinese zodiac, probably originated in Laos or Cambodia rather than Burma, though all the animal weights today come from sources in Thailand. Aside from the elephants, which are more common, the other animal types generally sell in the $50-100+ range for small pieces.
There are two good books on this subject: Opium-Gewichte by Rolf & Ilse Braun has brief information in German, French, and English on history, casting, materials, weight systems, stamps, and motifs but is mainly plates showing 631 specimens of the zodiac types as well as "Bird and Beast" types. Earth to Heaven: The Royal Animal-shaped Weights of the Burmese Empires by Donald Gear is a complex work on the Bird and Beast weights only: origin, symbolism, typology, dating. Well illustrated. A scholarly work, but rather thick reading for someone with a casual inerest. More information.
SCANS ARE OF TYPICAL PIECES TO ILLUSTRATE THE TYPE. THEY ARE NOT THE ACTUAL PIECES YOU WILL RECIEVE.
CLICK ON THE THUMBNAIL FOR A LARGER VIEW.
ORDERING INFORMATION
425s
Hantha (Duck) Mythical bird with a single topknot and a wide, blunt tail. Shown here are the standard weights of approx. 16, 32, 80, 160, and 320 grams. They are dark-toned brass. Tallest piece is about 70m (2.5 inches) tall. Set of five pieces $77.50
Individual sizes: 425n 16gm $12.50; 425a 32gm $9.75; 425b 80gm $$12.50; 425c 160gm $19.50
426s
Ziwazo (Chicken) Mythical bird with 2-3 topknotsand a sharp, pointed tail. Shown here are the standard weights of approx. 32, 80, 160, and 320 grams. They are dark-toned brass. Tallest piece is about 70m (2.5 inches) tall. Set of four pieces $73.50
Individual sizes: 426a 32gm $10.00; 426b 80gm $$13.50; 426c 160gm $21.50
428s
To or Chinthe This figure is frequently found outside temples as a guardian. Square base variety. Shown here are the standard weights of approx. 32, 80, 160, and 320 grams. They are dark-toned brass. Tallest piece is about 70m (2.5 inches) tall. Set of four (not five) pieces $87.50
Individual sizes: 428n 16gm $17.50; 428a 32gm $13.50; 428b 80gm $18.50; 428c 160gm $23.50
427
To or Chinthe Older variety with octagonal base, showing just the 320gm size, well worn as usual. The piece with the wavy tail and lower squat is probably earlier. No full sets available. Individual sizes: 427n 16gm $20.00; 427a 32gm $15.00; 427c 80gm $27.50
430
Elephant Probably from Laos, the usual sizes found are 3-4, 6-7, 12-13, 32, and 64gm, though larger ones exist. 430c) 6-7gm $23.50
These scans illustrate modern pieces. They may not be made to fool collectors, but to provide prettier examples for tourists of weights found in worn condition.
428fx Lead-filled Lion Around 1600gms, 3 pcs seen. Has no natural wear. The most obvious giveaway is the bottom of the base. There is a circular area in the center that does not have solid metal behind it. Apparently the piece was cast with a hollow base and lead was poured in later, though why someone would add this sort of telltale to a fake item to save a few cents worth of brass is beyond me.
428x1 Lead Lion This piece is cast entirely in lead; the spots where it has been knocked about show shiny silver beneath. Weight about 4100gms.
427x1 Too-nice Lions The first thing that gives away this set is the sharp feel. The details are not as well done as on original pieces, though they are clearer for lack of wear.
427x2 Too-crude Lion This one is harder to spot, but pimples on the surface and a craggy base show that it was recast from an original piece.
426x1 Lead Ziwazo This piece is cast entirely in lead; the spots where it has been knocked about show shiny silver beneath. Weight about 4100gms.
425x1 Bad birds These are all the 16gm size or smaller, probably made up to fill out sets of larger pieces, as sizes under 32gm are less common. They have a sharp feel and crude execution and casting.
431x1 Homages There is a brass caster in Chiengmai who makes very nice animal weights, usually in a style different from the classical pieces, or animal types never used for old weights
433x Lesser work An importer was impressed with these nice modern weights and asked his agent to have him make up sets of more than 20 different animals. Since this brass crafter wanted too much time to fulfill the order, he gave it to a different craftsman of lesser skills. Shown here are four examples of this poor work. I can provide sets of five sizes, roughly 15, 25, 40, 50 (shown), 80gm but MY CHOICE of animal $10.00/set, five different sets $45.00
433x2 Bad Monkey A design from the more skilled craftsman which looked really cute is this "monkey playing with his banana." As done by his imitator, however, they are merely crude in an unintended way. SPECIAL. Set of 5: $9.00
Double-pan balance in hand-carved wood box from Hill Tribe country where animal weights are still in use. Though attractively crude, they are unused, and probably not very old. The wood is teak-stained, but is probably a softer wood.
Bird, Fish Shown here two different types of box, Bird or Fish, when opened the two-pan balance scale is visible. Length about 9.5 inches. Sample pieces shown. Each: $27.50
Elephant Shown reduced size is a different type of scale, the case violin-shaped, the balance with a rod, single pan, and weight. Length 14.5" (365m). $37.50
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426s
Ziwazo (Chicken) Mythical bird with 2-3 topknotsand a sharp, pointed tail. Shown here are the standard weights of approx. 32, 80, 160, and 320 grams. They are dark-toned brass. Tallest piece is about 70m (2.5 inches) tall. Set of four pieces $73.50
428s
To or Chinthe This figure is frequently found outside temples as a guardian. Square base variety. Shown here are the standard weights of approx. 32, 80, 160, and 320 grams. They are dark-toned brass. Tallest piece is about 70m (2.5 inches) tall. Set of four (not five) pieces $87.50
427
To or Chinthe Older variety with octagonal base, showing just the 320gm size, well worn as usual. The piece with the wavy tail and lower squat is probably earlier. No full sets available. Individual sizes: 427n 16gm $20.00; 427a 32gm $15.00; 427c 80gm $27.50
430
Elephant Probably from Laos, the usual sizes found are 3-4, 6-7, 12-13, 32, and 64gm, though larger ones exist. 430c) 6-7gm $23.50
428fx Lead-filled Lion Around 1600gms, 3 pcs seen. Has no natural wear. The most obvious giveaway is the bottom of the base. There is a circular area in the center that does not have solid metal behind it. Apparently the piece was cast with a hollow base and lead was poured in later, though why someone would add this sort of telltale to a fake item to save a few cents worth of brass is beyond me.
428x1 Lead Lion This piece is cast entirely in lead; the spots where it has been knocked about show shiny silver beneath. Weight about 4100gms.
427x1 Too-nice Lions The first thing that gives away this set is the sharp feel. The details are not as well done as on original pieces, though they are clearer for lack of wear.
427x2 Too-crude Lion This one is harder to spot, but pimples on the surface and a craggy base show that it was recast from an original piece.
426x1 Lead Ziwazo This piece is cast entirely in lead; the spots where it has been knocked about show shiny silver beneath. Weight about 4100gms.
425x1 Bad birds These are all the 16gm size or smaller, probably made up to fill out sets of larger pieces, as sizes under 32gm are less common. They have a sharp feel and crude execution and casting.
431x1 Homages There is a brass caster in Chiengmai who makes very nice animal weights, usually in a style different from the classical pieces, or animal types never used for old weights
433x Lesser work An importer was impressed with these nice modern weights and asked his agent to have him make up sets of more than 20 different animals. Since this brass crafter wanted too much time to fulfill the order, he gave it to a different craftsman of lesser skills. Shown here are four examples of this poor work. I can provide sets of five sizes, roughly 15, 25, 40, 50 (shown), 80gm but MY CHOICE of animal $10.00/set, five different sets $45.00
433x2 Bad Monkey A design from the more skilled craftsman which looked really cute is this "monkey playing with his banana." As done by his imitator, however, they are merely crude in an unintended way. SPECIAL. Set of 5: $9.00
Bird, Fish Shown here two different types of box, Bird or Fish, when opened the two-pan balance scale is visible. Length about 9.5 inches. Sample pieces shown. Each: $27.50
Elephant Shown reduced size is a different type of scale, the case violin-shaped, the balance with a rod, single pan, and weight. Length 14.5" (365m). $37.50