Mounted Opium Weight

Used to parcel out opium, gemstones, spices, and other valuable items, this small weight would have been suspended from its tiny hole as a counterweight for a steelyard balance. Carved from stone in the late 19th century, the weight takes on the appearance of a pumpkin with its globular shape, vertical grooves, and warm coloring. Displayed on its own metal stand, we’ve elevated this functional object into a small work of sculpture.