Nested weights were used by merchants primarily to measure coins. This set was made in Nuremberg. The Phoenix/Eagle verification stamp indicates that it was used either in Poland or Prussia.
The total weight for the set is 32 marks. The house, the outer most cup, has a split V, a three armed design common to weight sets manufactured in Nuremberg. The outer two arms resemble sea-dogs or dolphins, and the inner arm or hinge lock is made to resemble a sea-horse. The handle supports resemble the heads of bearded soldiers, and when folded, the rounded handle top fits into the space created by the tail end of the sea-dog's V. The master cup or house has a number of geometric patterns stamped into it which run in circular patterns. The cooper-master's mark, found on the top lid is a crossed arrow and key stamped 3X. The makers associated with this mark, as well as their guild registration number and year of Master's Degree are: 1. K. Weinmann, No. 56, 1633; 2. G.S. Schuller, No. 715, 1633; 3. G. Mittmann, No. 864, 1666; 4. A. Ziegengeist, No. 952, 1681 (cousin of 3.); 5. J.W. Ziegengeist, No. 1120, 1704 (son of 4.)
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