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This is a 5 tical Burmese opium weight, formally referred to as the royal animal shaped weights of the Burmese empires. It is in the form of the bird, sometimes referred to as the  Hamsa, or Hintha or . The bird was thought to provide to provide a link between heaven and earth, symbolising the flight of the soul and representing purity and gentleness.

I found this weight on a recent trip to Burma and was surprised by how few genuine weights were available compared to just a year ago.  There is a great deal of wear of the of the extremities and the short vertical lines have all but vanished .  For a far greater selection of opium weights please Google sabai designs gallery.

Characteristics:

Base Plan: Hexagonal

Base Lines: Short verticals

Base Sign: no longer distinguishable

Mouth Appendage: None

Tail Shape: U shape

Period: 1785-1796, Konbaung Dynasty

Frequency: 278/1000

Weight Category: 5 tical/kyat (mass of period 15.9)

Form: Bird, Hamsa

Condition:  High  level of wear

Actual Weight:   74 grams

Height: 4cm, appox. 1.6 inches

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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Reduced postage offered for combined items

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Postage Costs

Australia – AUD $12.00

Europe & United Kingdom – AUD $13.00

USA & Canada – AUD $14.00

Asia & Japan – AUD $9.00

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Postage & Handling

·         We post worldwide from Thailand using registered airmail unless otherwise requested

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

·         Items are professionally packed to ensure safe arrival

·         Items bought within a 5 day period can be combined to reduce the cost of postage

·         Customers can request insurance and will be notified of the additional cost (Insurance may not be available for some countries)

·         If an item is returned to us marked ‘Unclaimed’, the cost of sending it again will be the responsibility of the customer

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Payment Information

·         We accept payment by PayPal and direct bank deposit into our Australian bank account 

·         Your items will be sent within 2 days of receiving payment

·         Prompt payment is appreciated

·         If payment is not received within 7 days after a listing closes and the winning buyer has not responded to our emails, a dispute will be lodged with eBay

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Return Policy

·         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. At sabai designs, customers will find quality products and highly personalised service.

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Contact Us

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

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Elephant Nature Park

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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sabai designs

Chiang Mai, Thailand & Sydney, Australia

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