Pre-Columbian, Peru, Chimu, ca. 1100 to 1470 CE. A rare balance scale for measuring, the woven cotton bags suspended from a bone balance beam via cotton cords. The bone may be from an ungulate or camelid, such as an alpaca or llama, and is carved into stylized figures linking arms. The petite, portable size made this piece ideal for travel, imagine these scales being carried and used in a bustling marketplace. There is no evidence that measurements were ever standardized, 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. Size: 6" L x 0.8" W x 13" H (15.2 cm x 2 cm x 33 cm); 14" H (35.6 cm) on included custom stand.

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

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#177592

Fraying, unraveling, and losses to threads and no longer resemble bags. Bone beam is in great condition, yellow/brown patina and light mineral deposits.