Grain Measures

These hourglass shaped brass grain measures effectively imbibe form and function. Before the measuring of quantity of grains by weight became popular, a system of measuring by volume was in vogue in India. These measures belong to this latter category.
The measure is made by hammering the brass sheet to requisite shape and joining at one end by dovetailing and soldering. The top edge of the measures is lined with an extra metal strip to lend it strength. The larger measure has the name of the owner engraved on it. Before the advent of the British measuring system, Indians measured their grains in tolas and sers. One ser comprised of 80 tolas and was equal to 2.5 lb. For measuring grains, Indians had measures of different sizes based on the quantity to be measured.