The term opium weight is somewhat a misnomer. While there is little doubt that Burmese animal weights were used to measure opium, their use was more widely applied to weighing a variety of substances including silver ingots, pearls, precious stones, coral, spices, musk and expensive medicines. Dome shaped marble weights were used to weigh more commonplace items.

The History of Opium Weights

The earliest known opium weights date back to at least the 14th century, though unfortunately it is believed that many of the earlier weights were melted down to be remolded into new shapes. The production of opium weights ceased shortly after the British forcefully incorporated Burma into the British Raj in 1885.

Royal animal weights were made from bronze using the lost wax method and great lengths were taken to ensure the accuracy of the weight. The weights and measures system was scrutinized by the king and each time a new king took the throne, a new set of weights were made in a style of his choosing. A master set of weights was produced, which were kept in the Hlut-taw or Supreme Council of State and all weights produced henceforth had to conform to this standard. The mass unit in Burma is referred to as the kyat or tical, a term known to be in use since 1515AD. The tical mass varied from 10.4 grams in the 15th century to 16.3 grams in 1830. One hundred tical was referred to as 1 viss, which was about 3.5 pounds.


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