Chinese Opium Scale in Hand Carved Elephant Teak Wood Case Antique 1880c

Antique c.1880

Chinese Opium Scale in

Hand Carved Elephant

Teak Wood Case

Measures 6.25" x 3" x 1".

Slides open to reveal a miniature scale

with two brass or copper plates.

The elephants are a symbol of wisdom

and strength. They are also used in design

for attracting wealth and good luck.

Many of these scales made it to England

during the 1850s and 1860s, and even the

United States during the gold boom,attracting

more than 300,000 poor Chinese migrants to

the United States alone.

In the United States or England, these scales

could have been found in areas known as

"Opium dens,"

predominantly Chinese areas common to drug

sales.Slides open easily.

See photos for more detail.

Excellent, antique condition.