Weights, nested

Object Details

Description (Brief): Nested weights were used by merchants primarily to measure coins. This set was made in Nuremberg. The Phoenix/Eagle verification stamp indicates that it was used either in Poland or Prussia.; The total weight for the set is 32 marks. The house, the outer most cup, has a split V, a three armed design common to weight sets manufactured in Nuremberg. The outer two arms resemble sea-dogs or dolphins, and the inner arm or hinge lock is made to resemble a sea-horse. The handle supports resemble the heads of bearded soldiers, and when folded, the rounded handle top fits into the space created by the tail end of the sea-dog's V. The master cup or house has a number of geometric patterns stamped into it which run in circular patterns. The cooper-master's mark, found on the top lid is a crossed arrow and key stamped 3X. The makers associated with this mark, as well as their guild registration number and year of Master's Degree are: 1. K. Weinmann, No. 56, 1633; 2. G.S. Schuller, No. 715, 1633; 3. G. Mittmann, No. 864, 1666; 4. A. Ziegengeist, No. 952, 1681 (cousin of 3.); 5. J.W. Ziegengeist, No. 1120, 1704 (son of 4.)
Location: Currently not on view

Credit Line: Gift of American Pharmaceutical Association and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

Physical Description: metal (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 15.1 cm x 14.2 cm x 12.5 cm; 5 15/16 in x 5 9/16 in x 4 15/16 in

Related Publication: Danforth, Ellen Zak. A Catalog of Nested Cup Weights in the Edward Streeter Collection of Weights and Measures.; Houben, Gerard M.M.. 200 Years of Nested Cup Weights; Kisch, Bruno. Scales and Weights, A Historical Outline; Urdang, George and Ferdinand William Nitardy. The Squibb Ancient Pharmacy: A Catalogue of the Collection

National Museum of American History

GUID (Link to Original Record): https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a8-9937-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa