S/5097 An 18th Century Continental Bismar (Scales)

A bismar (a type of steelyard) for weighing wool or silk, which would be balanced on a fulcrum and the brass inset pins determine the weight of the wool or silk. According to Pinto it lent itself to cheating to such an extent that in 1450 the Archbishop of Canterbury decreed excommunication if anyone possessed it. It continued being used in The Orkney and Shetland Isles until a century ago, and was also used through Scandinavia and across Russia to the far East.

Sold 10 in. (25.5 cm.) Wide
Continental Circa 1780