Brass hand-held dispensing scales, consisting of two circular concave brass pans, each with three evenly spaced holes near the edge, connected through these with braided cords to a brass beam with swan neck ends; the beam has a fenestrated rectangular tab attached with a pin to the midsection, and …
Brass hand-held dispensing scales, consisting of two circular concave brass pans, each with three evenly spaced holes near the edge, connected through these with braided cords to a brass beam with swan neck ends; the beam has a fenestrated rectangular tab attached with a pin to the midsection, and lines up with a pointed bar that extends upwards from the bar's midsection; the scales are accompanied by ten square brass measures of varying thicknesses, using the Roman system of scruple, drachm and grain weights; the weights are kept in a brass-lidded compartment in the scale case (l); the case is wood, covered outside with green leather with a gold embossed logo on the top; the case is lined with purple velvet and has an indentation to accomodate the scale; the front latch of the case consists of a hook and pin.
Number Of Parts
12
Part Names
a - balance scales - Size: Length 15.0 cm x Width 14.5 cm x Depth 6.0 cm
b - weight - Size: Length 1.5 cm x Width 1.5 cm x Depth 0.5 cm
c - weight - Size: Length 1.6 cm x Width 1.5 cm x Depth 0.2 cm
d - weight - Size: Length 1.4 cm x Width 1.4 cm x Depth 0.2 cm
e - weight - Size: Length 1.7 cm x Width 1.5 cm x Depth 0.1 cm
f - weight - Size: Length 1.4 cm x Width 1.4 cm x Depth 0.1 cm
g - weight - Size: Length 1.3 cm x Width 1.3 cm x Depth 0.1 cm
h - weight - Size: Length 1.5 cm x Width 1.0 cm x Depth 0.1 cm
i - weight - Size: Length 1.3 cm x Width 1.3 cm x Depth 0.1 cm
j - weight - Size: Length cm x Width cm x Depth 0.1 cm
k - weight - Size: Length cm x Width cm x Depth 0.1 cm
l - case - Size: Length 16.7 cm x Width 7.6 cm x Depth 2.8 cm
Provenance
Given to donor by Catherine Saunders, youngest daughter of original owner, Dr. Herbert J. Saunders, M.R.C.S.E., Queen's Meds 1867; donor was Miss Saunders's physician.
Dates
1880
1910
circa 1880-1910
Material
paper: green
ink: yellow
leather: green
wood: tan
fabric: purple; green
metal: brown
Inscriptions
On the top of the case, there was a logo of an eagle grasping three arrows in one talon and a branch in the other, embossed in gold ink; on the bottom of the case, "R2e/7L7" is handwritten in pencil; weight (b) has a weight symbol etched into both sides of the metal; weight (c) has a weight symbol etched on one side; and "2 // [weight symbol}" on the other ;side; weight (d) has "½ Drachm [cursive]" etched on one side and a weight symbol etched on the other; weight (e) has a weight symbol etched on one side; weight (f) has six round indentations stamped into the metal; weight (g) has five round indentations stamped into the metal; weight (h) has four round indentations stamped into the metal; weight (i) has "6 // GRS" stamped into the metal; weight (j) has "5 // GRS" stamped into the metal; weight (k) has "4 // GRS" stamped into the metal.
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-A8-6
Unit Of Measure
centimeters
Condition Remarks
Both brass pans had several patches of discolouration, possibly from contact with the cord; weight (d) had a strip of corrosion on one side; weights (f-h) showed signs of orange rust; the leather around the clasp on the box (l) was worn and torn; the gold ink from the embossed logo had deteriorated by approximately 90%; the velvet had faded slightly and was dusty; (2): box cover torn around latch; metal tarnished; spots of inactive corrosion; velvet fading in places; leather stained and discoloured.
Copy Type
Original
Reference Types
Book
Person
Reference Comments
"Physician's Balance Scales," by Dr. H. W. Cumming; "Antique Medical Instruments," by Elizabeth Bennion, 1986, pp. 284-5 (similar to Fig. 15) ; "Catalogue of Surgical Instruments & Appliances," by Down Bros. Ltd., 1906, p. 1405 (similar to #6240); "Illustrated Catalogue and Price List of Max Wocher and Son," by Max Wocher & Son, 189-, p. 284 (similar to #2748); OHIOLink online catalogue OCLC #33231027
Research Facts
Possibly carried by Dr. Saunders for house calls, to measure medication ingredients and/or to weigh patients' fees to prevent fraud.
Exhibit History
On display in Bracken wing Feb. 12, 2004-Feb. 2005