Chinese Dotchin or "opium" Scales
Shared by Cromwell Museum
A set of Chinese Dotchin, travelling or "opium" scales consisting of a rod with a brass pan and weights stored in a wooden, paddle shaped case. The case consists of two separate halves that pivot open on metal rivets at the end held together with a piece of string through two holes in the case. The lid opens to reveal areas that have been hollowed out to fit the rod, weight and pan. The fine ivory or bone tapered rod is engraved with three measuring scales of black dots. At one end are three red tassels (pivot points) and a pendulum with a hook underneath. The brass scale pan has four holes around the edge. There are four coloured threads (red, green, blue and yellow) attached to the holes and the four threads are knotted together at the other end just below the pendulum. There are two weights, one with a hole on the top through which a colour string is attached. A special compartment in the case has been made to store the weight. A smaller square weight is also included. Donor's note: This weight set was used to weigh small samples of "wash" by panning, to determine if sluicing the area was likely to uncover gold.
Ngā whakamārama
Details
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Title
Chinese Dotchin or "opium" Scales
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Subject
Weighing equipment, Opium, Chinese associations
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Additional information
Wood brass ivory/bone, L 330mm X W 120 mm
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Rights
All rights reserved
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Location
47 The Mall CROMWELL 9310
Whare taonga | Organisation
Cromwell Museum
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Text adapted with permission from Te Papa and Digital NZ
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