Page 32 - 2019 August The Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
P. 32
by Kary Pardy
Measuring the Appeal of Antique Scales
B alance-based scales appear in the historical record around 2400-1800 Scale Uses
BC, in what is now modern-day Pakistan. Their simplicity, however,
Those working in kitchens also turned to spring scales. In-home cooking,
has led scholars to believe that scales may have been used way before
scales were mainly the property of the wealthy in the Victorian era and
they ever appeared on the record. The longevity and diversity make scales one
of the more accessible technology collectibles. This article will help you weigh featured little ornamentation. They gained a lot of traction in homes by the
mid-20th century and even took on some more vibrant colors to better fit into
your options when selecting one for your personal collection. the pastels, reds, and
greens of midcentury
Types of Scales decor. Vintage makers of
From form to function, there is a scale that may work for you. Let’s first spring scales include
examine the oldest and most recognizable type, the equal balance scale. Fairbanks,
Salters,
Balance scales require a beam that supports two hanging trays of equal weights Chantillon, Sears, and
and equidistant apart. The fulcrum hinge upon which the beam moves
Montgomery Ward.
responds to known weights
and objects being placed
Baby Scale
opposite them on the scale. Can you guess the
Usually found in bronze, these purpose of this scale (r)?
scales are your symbolic Made by spring scale
“Justice” accessory. If antique leader Salter, this scale
equal balance scales interest includes a wicker basket
you, look into scales by instead of a metal pan
Kohlbusch (US), Philip Harris because it was made to
or Avery (England), and weigh babies! Salter built Infant weighing machine, London, England, 1890-1930.
Becker (Belgium). Advances the “Infant Weighing photo: Science Museum, London, CC BY 4.0
upon this type of scale
Machine, No 50B” for retailer W. H. Bailey & Son.
included the 19th century Hanging versions also existed for your favorite scale styles. Popular uses for
portable suspension scale, hanging spring scales included weighing items like butter on a farm or for use
which was particularly useful
This turn of the century postal scale is an example by tradesmen, who needed the mobility. As most hanging scales from the 19th
of a Roberval scale, differentiated at a basic level when weighing coins and could and early 20th century had similar rectangular faces,
This style was named after French mathematician be condensed to fit into handy sometimes you may find these scales ornamented with
Gilles Personne de Roberval, who presented it carrying cases. advertisements, an extra excitement for scale collectors.
to the French Academy of Sciences in 1669. The unequal arm balance
photo: from a private collection scale incorporated only one Advertising scale:
tray as the counterweights
having been built into the structure. These scales are most commonly seen as Why just have a scale when you could also
advertise with every use? This striking brass front
countertop scales in general stores and feature a single pan. Pans came in
spring scale advertises for Purina Cow Chow (r) and
different sizes for different weighing purposes, much like measuring cups.
From your snuff or spices to your loaves of bread, scales were integral tools that was part of an effort by Purina to gain traction with
retailers. The company gave these scales as a gift to
reflected the needs of their consumers and could also be beautiful. Ornate
decorations in cast iron and bronze helped them farms, feed stores, and dairies in hopes that their
become collectible display pieces, but even simple farmer clients would be swayed by towards Purina
scales can be eye-catching additions to collections. products. Cow Chow advertising scales sell for
Top makers of store scales to keep an eye out for are around $150.
Howe and Fairbanks, and Avery. Should you be looking for an industrial
A competitor to the balance scale, spring aesthetic, consider a hanging scale or a scale in
scales started popping up in the 18th century. cast iron. A bronze postal scale may be better suited
They required the resistance of a spring to for a classic interior collection. Whatever you are
measure weight and had the benefit of hunting for, consider flea markets and eBay
displaying weight measurements directly on valuable tools. Mid-century scales can be purchased
the scale face. This ease of use made them relatively cheaply, they were made in large numbers
popular with store owners and and are not rare now. Scales from the Victorian
postal workers alike. Spring scales period will command higher prices,
work by using the response of a particularly if you hope to find one with all of its
spring to measure the weight of an parts. These take more digging, particularly at
object in question. An object is auctions. Bronze spring scales with embellishments sell
placed in the pan or on the tray, Tiffany Studios made appearances in the scale between $300 and $500 at auction and rare models can
which then causes a connected market, sometimes through their desk sets. bring even more, though typically not exceeding the low
spring to stretch as the object’s Professionals in the early 20th century could outfit thousands. Whichever level you choose, scales are pleasing photo: Bargain
their desk with the Tiffany “Grapevine” pattern
weight presses down opposite it. collectibles, aesthetically and historically. You may want to John’s Antiques.
The distance that the spring pulls and would need this bronze scale with favrile glass purchase one, you know, just to balance out your collection.
accents for weighing mail. This example is offered
corresponds with different weights, for $1,250 at Killian Nassau in New York. For more information about antique scales, please
which will show up on the dial. photo: Killian Nassau and Incollect visit the International Society of Antique Scale
Collectors at isasc.org
Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
30
Measuring the Appeal of Antique Scales
B alance-based scales appear in the historical record around 2400-1800 Scale Uses
BC, in what is now modern-day Pakistan. Their simplicity, however,
Those working in kitchens also turned to spring scales. In-home cooking,
has led scholars to believe that scales may have been used way before
scales were mainly the property of the wealthy in the Victorian era and
they ever appeared on the record. The longevity and diversity make scales one
of the more accessible technology collectibles. This article will help you weigh featured little ornamentation. They gained a lot of traction in homes by the
mid-20th century and even took on some more vibrant colors to better fit into
your options when selecting one for your personal collection. the pastels, reds, and
greens of midcentury
Types of Scales decor. Vintage makers of
From form to function, there is a scale that may work for you. Let’s first spring scales include
examine the oldest and most recognizable type, the equal balance scale. Fairbanks,
Salters,
Balance scales require a beam that supports two hanging trays of equal weights Chantillon, Sears, and
and equidistant apart. The fulcrum hinge upon which the beam moves
Montgomery Ward.
responds to known weights
and objects being placed
Baby Scale
opposite them on the scale. Can you guess the
Usually found in bronze, these purpose of this scale (r)?
scales are your symbolic Made by spring scale
“Justice” accessory. If antique leader Salter, this scale
equal balance scales interest includes a wicker basket
you, look into scales by instead of a metal pan
Kohlbusch (US), Philip Harris because it was made to
or Avery (England), and weigh babies! Salter built Infant weighing machine, London, England, 1890-1930.
Becker (Belgium). Advances the “Infant Weighing photo: Science Museum, London, CC BY 4.0
upon this type of scale
Machine, No 50B” for retailer W. H. Bailey & Son.
included the 19th century Hanging versions also existed for your favorite scale styles. Popular uses for
portable suspension scale, hanging spring scales included weighing items like butter on a farm or for use
which was particularly useful
This turn of the century postal scale is an example by tradesmen, who needed the mobility. As most hanging scales from the 19th
of a Roberval scale, differentiated at a basic level when weighing coins and could and early 20th century had similar rectangular faces,
This style was named after French mathematician be condensed to fit into handy sometimes you may find these scales ornamented with
Gilles Personne de Roberval, who presented it carrying cases. advertisements, an extra excitement for scale collectors.
to the French Academy of Sciences in 1669. The unequal arm balance
photo: from a private collection scale incorporated only one Advertising scale:
tray as the counterweights
having been built into the structure. These scales are most commonly seen as Why just have a scale when you could also
advertise with every use? This striking brass front
countertop scales in general stores and feature a single pan. Pans came in
spring scale advertises for Purina Cow Chow (r) and
different sizes for different weighing purposes, much like measuring cups.
From your snuff or spices to your loaves of bread, scales were integral tools that was part of an effort by Purina to gain traction with
retailers. The company gave these scales as a gift to
reflected the needs of their consumers and could also be beautiful. Ornate
decorations in cast iron and bronze helped them farms, feed stores, and dairies in hopes that their
become collectible display pieces, but even simple farmer clients would be swayed by towards Purina
scales can be eye-catching additions to collections. products. Cow Chow advertising scales sell for
Top makers of store scales to keep an eye out for are around $150.
Howe and Fairbanks, and Avery. Should you be looking for an industrial
A competitor to the balance scale, spring aesthetic, consider a hanging scale or a scale in
scales started popping up in the 18th century. cast iron. A bronze postal scale may be better suited
They required the resistance of a spring to for a classic interior collection. Whatever you are
measure weight and had the benefit of hunting for, consider flea markets and eBay
displaying weight measurements directly on valuable tools. Mid-century scales can be purchased
the scale face. This ease of use made them relatively cheaply, they were made in large numbers
popular with store owners and and are not rare now. Scales from the Victorian
postal workers alike. Spring scales period will command higher prices,
work by using the response of a particularly if you hope to find one with all of its
spring to measure the weight of an parts. These take more digging, particularly at
object in question. An object is auctions. Bronze spring scales with embellishments sell
placed in the pan or on the tray, Tiffany Studios made appearances in the scale between $300 and $500 at auction and rare models can
which then causes a connected market, sometimes through their desk sets. bring even more, though typically not exceeding the low
spring to stretch as the object’s Professionals in the early 20th century could outfit thousands. Whichever level you choose, scales are pleasing photo: Bargain
their desk with the Tiffany “Grapevine” pattern
weight presses down opposite it. collectibles, aesthetically and historically. You may want to John’s Antiques.
The distance that the spring pulls and would need this bronze scale with favrile glass purchase one, you know, just to balance out your collection.
accents for weighing mail. This example is offered
corresponds with different weights, for $1,250 at Killian Nassau in New York. For more information about antique scales, please
which will show up on the dial. photo: Killian Nassau and Incollect visit the International Society of Antique Scale
Collectors at isasc.org
Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
30
