Museo Galileo
italiano
previous
Virtual Museum
Chinese balance
    • Setting:
      Room X
    • Maker:
      unknown
    • Date:
      19th cent.
    • Materials:
      brass, steel, wood; case: wood, glass
    • Dimensions:
      530x232x690 mm; pan diameters 160 mm
    • Inventory:
      817
    • Chinese balance (Inv. 817)
    • Chinese balance (Inv. 817)

Chinese balance whose base consists of a drawer containing 37 brass weights in the shape of violin cases—a widespread, characteristic pattern used by Chinese balance-makers. On the drawer is mounted a bridge structure acting as a support for hanging the balance. At the center of the balance beam is the pointer, in the distinctive shape of an isosceles triangle: a small rod placed in the upper central section of the bridge holds a brass ring containing the pointer needle. Two bowl-shaped pans are suspended from the balance beam by two pairs of four thin chains. The balance can be taken apart and stored in the drawer for carrying. Provenance: Lorraine collections.