Opium weights

[Brian Wolfe]

Reading Mervyn's post regarding that fine antique opium pipe reminded me that I had two sets of opium weights in the collection. Naturally before you could smoke the opium it was necessary to purchase it. The two sets of weights, made in China, persented here were used so the customer could know the exact amount he was buying. I actually have a feeling, due to the style of the animals, that the set shown in the second photo may be from Thailand even though I was told it was Chinese.

The first set is the older of the two and would date from the mid 1850s retailing at around $150.00 to $200.00.

The second set shown would date to around 1900 and the retail value would be about the same as the older set.

These are being made once again and you can find them in shops that sell beads and "smoking aids", and other former "hippie" odds and ends. The newly made ones are of a poorer grade with a very rough finish. This has tended to bring down the prices of the originals somewhat.

Regards

Brian

[Brian Wolfe]

This is the set I believe was made in Thailand.