Pre-Columbian, Peru, Chimu, ca. 1100 to 1470 CE. A special balance scale for measuring, the woven cotton bags suspended from a wood balance beam via cotton and camelid wool cords. The beam is carved into birds facing the central axis, a wool suspension cords is attached to this area as well. The petite, portable size made this scale ideal for traveling and use in a marketplace. There is no evidence that measurements were ever standardized during this period by the Chimu, but were probably weighed in relation to other items. Such small scales that are relatively delicate and may have been used for weighing feathers which were nearly as precious as gold and silver, or other lightweight items. The loose, open weave could have also acted like a net for holding wood pans as well. Size: 6" L x 0.4" W x 12.5" H (15.2 cm x 1 cm x 31.8 cm); 13.125" H (33.3 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Arte Textile, San Francisco, California, USA, 1980s

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#177593

Minor fraying to woven bags, but weaving is intact and excellent. Wood beam is intact. Choice condition.