A GROUP OF SEVEN BURMESE BRONZE WEIGHTS

19th Century

Comprising four weights cast as hintha birds, two toe-aungs (lion bulls), and a figure group cast as four monks in long robes atop a circular base,

2.8 - 10.3cm high, 30 - 501g.

(7)

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PROVENANCE:

Collection of Prospect Burma, UK; The two toe-aung weights and three of the hintha weights previously donated by Elizabeth Barraclough, OBE, in May 2004.

Elizabeth Barraclough (1912-2006) worked in the British Foreign Service, and was posted to Singapore and Canton before being re-assigned to Burma, where she lived in the then-capital Rangoon. Her accomplishments during her eight-year stint earnt her advancement to OBE in 1956.

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Bronze weights were used for everyday life in Burma in the 19th century. These objects were used to measure quantities of goods sold by weight, including food, raw materials and precious metals and stones. The system of weights and measurements was overseen by the throne, and all weights were required to match a standard set by each king at the start of his reign.

c.f. The British Museum collection houses many of these Burmese weights. For example, see acc. no. 1993,0731.100 for a toe-aung weight with looping handle, and also see acc. no. As1962,04.4 for an example of a hintha bird weight. A more rotund version of the toe-aung weight, similar to the one in this group but with finer casting, can be seen in acc. no. 1993,0731.35.

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