Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian (342)

A pair of superb bronze Hamsa bird opium weights of 10 tical, Late Shan Empire, c. early 1800s.

The Hamsa with 1 spikes, both standing on symethric hexagonal bases. One with V-tail and the other with U-tail...

Nice different specimens of the old Karaweik bird type 10 tical bronze opium weight, Burma (from Ava, Rangoon, Amarapura), 18th. century.

Both on octagonal base, with three neck-ridges and spikes, with different varieties of backcovers.

Weight: 152 & 156 grams = 10 tical.

Condition: F-VF, rich brown patinas

Refference: Gear Group 2/3...

Interesting set of two bronze weights including a scarce Arakan weight and another probably Burmese Shan, both early weights for the types probably dating late 18th. century.

The Arakan weight typically crude manifacturing and only 254 grams, the other weight weighs c. 315 grams.

Both with much patina and attractive!

Provenance: John Abrahamsen Collection, important Danish private collection of c...

A choice bronze 10 tical opium Toe weight, Burmese ca. 1750-80 AD.

This Toe has the elavated horselike tail with three spikes, and standing on an octagonal and finely stepped base.

Reff: Leif B. Mikkelsen 'Opium Weights', p.132, fig. 70.

Weight: 162 grams = 10 Tical.

Rarity: Common.

Condition: Choice Very Fine...

A well-preserved lot of 3 bronze Hamsa bird opium weights of 5 tical, Late Shan Empire, early 1800s.

The birds are all different variants of Hamsas or Hinthas with V and U-tails, and one or more spikes, standing on a hexagonal bases.

Weights: 81,7 gr., 76,29 gr., 81,5 gr.


Condition: Nice VF with brown patinas!

Refference: Gear Group 1/2.

Provenance: John Abrahamsen Collection, important Danish private collection of c...

Interesting and large size of bronze bird weight of 20 Tical with finely decorated base, Late Shan States, 19th. century.

Very high quality execution even for the type with huge head spikes, and depicting the Siwazu bird, standing on a fancy elongated hexagonal base.

Weight: 326 grams = 20 tical.

Condition: Choice Extremely fine, beautiful surfaces and patina

Reff. Bering Mikkelsen, p...

A set of the tiniest bronze 'opium' currency weights, we've ever handled!. All Burmese Chinte / Toe weights with square bases, 18th. century AD.

Nominals included:

1 gram = 1/16 Tical!

0,78 grams = 1/20 Tical?

1,46 grams = 1/10 Tical

1,54 grams = 1/10 Tical

2,93 grams = 1/5 Tical

Rarity: Rare-Very rare. Such low weights from the 18th...

Pair of early classic style 1 and 2 tical bronze Toe beast Opium weights, Burma, c. 1600-1630.

Nice weight for their types in the old classical style featuring the tall octagonal base, depicting a ‘Toe’ or lionbeast – a mythical animal.

Weight: 29,62 grams = 2 Tical and 15,58 grams = 1 Tical.

Rarity: Scarce.

Refference: Gear Group 4/2. Mikkelsen p.129, figure 67.

Condition: Nice fine...

A rare and attractive Early Karaweik type bird opium weight. The bird with multible spikes, pointy beak and standing on a octagonal plint

Weight: c. 310 grams

Condition: Choice VF, detailed with fine brown patina for the type.

Provenance: John Abrahamsen Collection, important Danish private collection of c. 350 Opium weights, hand-picked from 1991-2006, by the collector from German British and Danish dealers. Comes with COA and provenance.

A rare and attractive Early Karaweik type bird opium weight. The bird with multible spikes, pointy beak and standing on a octagonal plint

Weight: c. 316 grams

Condition: Choice VF, detailed with fine green patina for the type.

Provenance: John Abrahamsen Collection, important Danish private collection of c. 350 Opium weights, hand-picked from 1991-2006, by the collector from German British and Danish dealers. Comes with COA and provenance.

A large and quite scarce high tinned bronze opium weight of the 20 Tical, square base, c. 1750-1780.

Interesting since this weight does not have the usual lines for the issue but instead a fine engraving with dots. Very attractive.

Weight: 320 grams = 20 Tical

Condition: Choice Very fine, very nice grey silverish surfaces.

Provenance: John Abrahamsen Collection, important Danish private collection of c...

Massive and beautiful bronze opium weight of the 50 Tical / 1/2 Viss, with square base, c. 1750-1780.

This Viss weight is very attractive and large with a tall handle and the square base.

Weight: 807 grams = 1!2 Viss!

Condition: Choice Very fine, some wear but fine details and thick brown-green patina.

Provenance: John Abrahamsen Collection, important Danish private collection of c...

Interesting and rare early bronze opium weight, probably an Old Shan Hamsa bird, c. 16th. century.

The bird is standing on an octagonal base.

Weight: 72,67 grams = 5 Tical, which equals the 14,4 grams standard for the birds from c. 1560!

Condition: Good Fine, much circulation and nice brown patina...

A rare 3 Tical Brahmani duck or Old Mon Duck of the early style, Burma, c. 1480-1520 AD.

The bird finely incised on the wings and stands on a round base.

Weight: c. 39,17 grams = probably 3 Tical, which fits scale at the period of around 13 grams/unit. A very rare weigth!

Condition: Near Very fine, wear but a lovely brown and red patina, attractive!

Reff. L.B. Mikkelsen p. 108, figure 41-42; Gear group 5.

Provenance: John Abrahamsen Collecti...

An exceptional style terracotta head of a bearded man wearing a diadem, probably the head of Vajrapani with features of Heracles, Gandhara, 0-400 AD.

Size: 88 mm. tall., 55 mm. deep and 53 mm. wide.

Condition: Extremely fine and intact, earthern deposits, with the face brushed.

Ex. Danish Private Collection

A remarkably fine style terracotta head of a bearded man, probably the head of Vajrapani with features of Heracles, Gandhara, 0-400 AD.

Size: 95 mm. tall., 65 mm. deep and 58 mm. wide.

Condition: Extremely fine and intact, earthern deposits.

Ex. Danish Private Collection

A fine and scarce very early or transitional style Golden Hamsa Opium Weight, Burma, c. 1730 AD.

A massive weight, very attractive in hand, the bird with two backcovers, mouth appendage and standing on a rounded octagonal base.

Weight: c. 303 grams = 20 Tical.

Condition: Very fine, smooth brown patina, attractive!

Reff. L.B. Mikkelsen p. 116, figure 51; Gear group 3.

Provenance: John Abrahamsen Collection, important Danish private collection...

Massive and beautiful bronze opium weight of the 100 Tical / 1 Viss, square base, c. 1750-1780.

This Viss weight is very attractive and large with a tall handle and the square base.

Weight: 1515 grams = 1 Viss!

Size: Slightly more than 12 cm. in height and 9 cm. wide.

Condition: Choice Very fine, some wear but fine details and thick green patina.

Provenance: John Abrahamsen Collection, important Danish private collection of c. 250 Opium...