Weighing Scale Item Number: 3489/7 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Weighing scale, or beam balance, consisting of a plate and balance rod (part a), with separate weight (part b). Rod is made of dark wood with brass plating around the tips. There are dot motifs along the front side, with the numbers 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 at intervals along the length, between the dots. Dots continue along the top of the rod. Dots are made of metal(?) and are impressed into the wood. Three holes are drilled through the rod, towards the left side, with knotted plant fibre and plastic ties inserted through them, for hanging purposes. Along the bottom of the left tip of the rod, there is a floral-shaped pendulum. Attached are two chains made out of S-hooks. One has a large semi-circular hook at the end, the other has four dark green-grey cords attached. Cords are drilled into the sides of the weighing plate. Plate is made of thin brass metal, with two ring designs incised in the middle. In the centre of the circle is a simple floral motif. Numbers are stamped into the plate's surface. The accompanying weight is bell-shaped with a semi-circular handle. Plain string tied through handle. There is a raised circular band around the handle, and two lines are incised along the top edge of the weight. Numbers are stamped on the weight’s base, matching the numbers on the plate.
Acquired by the donor in 1976-1978, when he lived and worked in Sabah, on the island of Borneo, as a volunteer with CUSO International.