Stylised opium weights, shaped as a mythical Hintha birds, in patinated bronze
Hintha, also known as a Hamsa or Brahmani duck, is a sacred aquatic bird rooted deeply in Burmese mythology and folklore. The biggest one features an integrated curved handle looping from the crest of the head down to its elaborate tail feathers
Despite their popular Western nickname (“opium weights”), these bronze figurines were the official standard weights used across the Burmese Konbaung Empire for measuring all everyday market goods, bulk commodities, and currency metals like silver
Biggest one has a weight of 1,6 kg
All together, they have a total weight of 3,1 kg
Provenance: Robert Willocx Collection, Brussels
The Robert Willocx Collection was a highly regarded private assembly of Asian art
It was built over several decades by Professor Dr. Robert Willocx (1932–2023), a prominent Belgian medical doctor, professor, and gastroenterologist at the Université Catholique de Louvain