1901 Scottish Victorian Brass Bell Weight, VR Under Crown, Solid Avoirdupois, 7 LBS Doorstop

$145.00
A wonderful piece of Victorian British commercial weighing equipment, this substantial brass bell-shaped weight is marked VR beneath a crown, SOLID AVOIR[DUPOIS], and 7 LBS. A separate partial date is also present beneath the VR and crown mark, apparently reading 190?, although the final digit is obscured or incomplete. We can deduce it is 1901 based on reign and the fact that it's not a zero. The weight is constructed in the traditional bell form, with a substantial brass body and an adjusting cavity on the underside that appears to retain its original lead filling. Such lead adjustment was an established feature of officially verified British avoirdupois weights, allowing the weight to be brought precisely to the required standard. British regulations specifically provided for lead to be poured into the underside adjusting hole of avoirdupois weights. The VR beneath crown marking refers to Victoria Regina, identifying the reign of Queen Victoria and the official verification system under which British weights were inspected and stamped. The surviving markings, including the denomination and the partially preserved date, make this a particularly evocative example of the regulated commercial weights once used by merchants, tradesmen, markets, and other businesses throughout Britain. This example was recovered in Golspie, Scotland, giving it an appealing regional provenance. It has acquired an extraordinary natural patina from age and use, with layers of deep oxidation across the brass that give the surface tremendous character. We have deliberately left the patina untouched rather than polishing away the evidence of its long history. The 7-pound denomination is substantial enough to make this an especially satisfying object, while the combination of the Victorian royal mark, official denomination, surviving adjustment material, extensive patination, and Scottish recovery make it much more than an ordinary antique shop weight. A superb decorative and historical object for a collection of Scottish finds, Victorian industrial objects, antique weights and measures, or British commercial history. You will use it as a bookend, doorstop, or paper weight. 6.75" H Check out some of my other antiques: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP?ref=search_shop_redirect§ion_id=6783279 Or just browse around the shop! https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP
A wonderful piece of Victorian British commercial weighing equipment, this substantial brass bell-shaped weight is marked VR beneath a crown, SOLID AVOIR[DUPOIS], and 7 LBS. A separate partial date is also present beneath the VR and crown mark, apparently reading 190?, although the final digit is obscured or incomplete. We can deduce it is 1901 based on reign and the fact that it's not a zero. The weight is constructed in the traditional bell form, with a substantial brass body and an adjusting cavity on the underside that appears to retain its original lead filling. Such lead adjustment was an established feature of officially verified British avoirdupois weights, allowing the weight to be brought precisely to the required standard. British regulations specifically provided for lead to be poured into the underside adjusting hole of avoirdupois weights. The VR beneath crown marking refers to Victoria Regina, identifying the reign of Queen Victoria and the official verification system under which British weights were inspected and stamped. The surviving markings, including the denomination and the partially preserved date, make this a particularly evocative example of the regulated commercial weights once used by merchants, tradesmen, markets, and other businesses throughout Britain. This example was recovered in Golspie, Scotland, giving it an appealing regional provenance. It has acquired an extraordinary natural patina from age and use, with layers of deep oxidation across the brass that give the surface tremendous character. We have deliberately left the patina untouched rather than polishing away the evidence of its long history. The 7-pound denomination is substantial enough to make this an especially satisfying object, while the combination of the Victorian royal mark, official denomination, surviving adjustment material, extensive patination, and Scottish recovery make it much more than an ordinary antique shop weight. A superb decorative and historical object for a collection of Scottish finds, Victorian industrial objects, antique weights and measures, or British commercial history. You will use it as a bookend, doorstop, or paper weight. 6.75" H Check out some of my other antiques: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP?ref=search_shop_redirect§ion_id=6783279 Or just browse around the shop! https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP