19th Jun, 2025 12:00
Arts of India and the Islamic Lands
173
ELEVEN BRONZE BURMESE OPIUM WEIGHTS WITH BRAHMI DUCKS AND QILINS
Burma (Myanmar), South East Asia, 18th century and later
ELEVEN BRONZE BURMESE OPIUM WEIGHTS WITH BRAHMI DUCKS AND QILINS
Burma (Myanmar), South East Asia, 18th century and later
Comprising eleven cast bronze weights of varying sizes, each in the form of either a duck or a pseudo-dragon or qilin, the duck-shaped weights with stylized upright tails and feathered details, the mythical animal examples with openwork curled tails and pointed crests, the surfaces displaying varying degrees of age patina and wear, these weights were traditionally used in Burma (Myanmar) for weighing opium and other precious commodities, such weights—often referred to as ‘chintha’ or ‘hintha’—played an important role in Burmese trade and daily life from the 18th century onwards, the group offered here displays a range of forms typical of both late Konbaung and early colonial period production, with several examples showing the conventional stepped bases and others with plinth bases.
The largest 11.5cm x 9cm
The smallest 2.6cm x 2.3cm
Sold for £221
ELEVEN BRONZE BURMESE OPIUM WEIGHTS WITH BRAHMI DUCKS AND QILINS
Burma (Myanmar), South East Asia, 18th century and later
Comprising eleven cast bronze weights of varying sizes, each in the form of either a duck or a pseudo-dragon or qilin, the duck-shaped weights with stylized upright tails and feathered details, the mythical animal examples with openwork curled tails and pointed crests, the surfaces displaying varying degrees of age patina and wear, these weights were traditionally used in Burma (Myanmar) for weighing opium and other precious commodities, such weights—often referred to as ‘chintha’ or ‘hintha’—played an important role in Burmese trade and daily life from the 18th century onwards, the group offered here displays a range of forms typical of both late Konbaung and early colonial period production, with several examples showing the conventional stepped bases and others with plinth bases.
The largest 11.5cm x 9cm
The smallest 2.6cm x 2.3cm
Auction: Arts of India and the Islamic Lands, 19th Jun, 2025
Our specialist auction Arts of India and the Islamic Lands is now online for you to browse, peruse and fall in love with your next antique.
Among the highlights, this sale vaunts a remarkable selection of Rajput Schools paintings and an illustrated loose folio from a Timurid Haft Paykar series, all part of a private Canadian collection; several gem-studded Indian necklaces, treasured heirlooms of a local family; a notable group of Islamic manuscripts, including a geomantic tome attributed to the Nubian alchemist Dhul-Nun al-Misri; and several lots of Persian Qajar lacquer belonging to the heir of a British diplomatic family in office under Sir Denis Wright in Tehran between 1971 - 1973.
Our selected lots preview starts next week, on Tuesday 3rd June, and the full view is going to take place from Friday 13th June until the sale day.
Mark your calendars and come to see us!
Viewing
Viewing:
13th June - 10:00 - 17:00
14th June - 11:00 - 16:00
15th June - 11:00 - 16:00
16th June - 10:00 - 17:00
17th June - 10:00 - 17:00
18th June - 10:00 - 17:00
