Accession No

1401

Brief Description

apothecary’s scales and weights, by B. Payne, English, 1830 (c)

Origin

England; London; 395 Strand

Maker

Payne, B.

Class

balances

Earliest Date

1830

Latest Date

1830

Inscription Date

Material

metal (steel); wood; ivory; rope (cord); paper; cloth (felt)

Dimensions

box length 198mm; breadth 98mm; thickness 33mm

Special Collection

Cavendish collection

Provenance

Transferred from the Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, in 1974. Originally from the Stokes Collection.

Inscription

‘B PAYNE
Scale Maker
395 Strand
near
Southampton St.
20 Grs. 1 Scruple
3 Scruples 1 Dram
8 Dram 1 Oz.’ (paper label in lid)

Description Notes

Steel beam and fittings; box beam ends with finials; self-locating steel knife edge with ring bearing; index above. Gallows with ring bearing with double aperture below. Hook and tassel. Ivory circular pans with cords; fitted wooden box with two sections for weights. 5 square weights extant for 3, 2, 1 and 1/2 dram (no weight for 3 drams, but two for 2 drams (?); 26-1-2000) and 3 scruples [no weights when acquired].
Paper labels on box lid; box with hook fastenings. ‘Scales’ written on front of box; 26-1-2000.

Condition: fair; incomplete (weights missing).

References

Events