Contact Seller
Jason Clarke Antiques
Tel07815 046645Please quote Antiques Atlas.
Antique Edwardian quality iron and copper scales
Antique Edwardian brass postal scales & weights
1920s Mahogany and Brass Scales Cabinet
Late Victorian Travelling Apothecary Scales
Large Edwardian solid oak set of postal scales
Antique Set Of Brass Postal Scales On An Oak Base
Set of quality Victorian letter and postal scales
Set of antique Victorian brass scales
19th Century Butchers Steelyard for Weighing Scale
A Splendid Set Of Walnut Postal Scales
19th Century Agricultural Sack Scales by Bartlett
Post Office Scales & Weights
Non UK callers :
+44 7815 046645
Chondrometer or Grain Scale by Bate London
An early nineteenth century chondrometer or grain scale by Robert Brettell Bate of London.
The English chondrometer was devised following an Act of Parliament on the 1st of January 1826 introducing the imperial form of measurement under George IV. This steelyard type scale was primarily used as a measure of the bulk density of grain and therefore quality of the product.
To use the scale, the brass measuring cylinder was placed upon the scale arm and filled to the brim with a sample of grain and levelled using a straightedge known as a strickle. The weight was identified by means of the sliding weight on the arm of the scale and was repeated a number of times to ensure accuracy of measurement. The outcome would determine price and space required to store the crop in question.
This early example is of superb quality and was manufactured by the most famous producers of these items during the period. It is housed within its original mahogany case with its original instructional label to the interior of the lid, giving bushel conversions for wheat, rye, barley, oats, peas, small beans, Dutch clover, canary & rape seed. The scale is constructed from a turned brass stand, brass measuring cylinder and scale arm engraved with measurements in pounds and signed to Bate London. The weight is incorporated onto the arm and is further engraved with, “pounds per Bushel, Imperial”.
Robert Brettell Bate was a very high quality manufacturer of scientific instruments working in the early part of the Nineteenth Century. Born in 1782, he took over the business from his Uncle in 1804 who had already received a commission from the Government’s revenue department to produce hydrometers. This relation continued under Bate’s stewardship and appears on his trade cards of the period and in 1824 was further commissioned by the Board of Excise & Ordnance to make the new national standard measures for weight & capacity. This chondrometer is an example of Bate’s output following his appointment. His quality of manufacture led him to receive Royal Appointments from George IV, William IV and Queen Victoria where he acted as Optician and he further served as the Master f the Spectacle Maker’s Guild in 1833. He was also known to have acted for the Admiralty as its main chart agent with numerous sub agents acting below him such as the instrument maker, George Stebbing. Bate traded from numerous addresses in Poultry street, London from 1808 to 1846 whereafter he moved to number 33 Royal Exchange in 1846 until his death in 1847.
A superb quality example of an early chondrometer by the maker who was commissioned to create the new national standard for measures at the introduction of the imperial system.
SellerJason Clarke Antiques
View all stock from
Jason Clarke Antiques
Private dealer
By appointment only
Newbury
Berkshire
Tel : 07815 046645
Non UK callers : +44 7815 046645
The English chondrometer was devised following an Act of Parliament on the 1st of January 1826 introducing the imperial form of measurement under George IV. This steelyard type scale was primarily used as a measure of the bulk density of grain and therefore quality of the product.
To use the scale, the brass measuring cylinder was placed upon the scale arm and filled to the brim with a sample of grain and levelled using a straightedge known as a strickle. The weight was identified by means of the sliding weight on the arm of the scale and was repeated a number of times to ensure accuracy of measurement. The outcome would determine price and space required to store the crop in question.
This early example is of superb quality and was manufactured by the most famous producers of these items during the period. It is housed within its original mahogany case with its original instructional label to the interior of the lid, giving bushel conversions for wheat, rye, barley, oats, peas, small beans, Dutch clover, canary & rape seed. The scale is constructed from a turned brass stand, brass measuring cylinder and scale arm engraved with measurements in pounds and signed to Bate London. The weight is incorporated onto the arm and is further engraved with, “pounds per Bushel, Imperial”.
Robert Brettell Bate was a very high quality manufacturer of scientific instruments working in the early part of the Nineteenth Century. Born in 1782, he took over the business from his Uncle in 1804 who had already received a commission from the Government’s revenue department to produce hydrometers. This relation continued under Bate’s stewardship and appears on his trade cards of the period and in 1824 was further commissioned by the Board of Excise & Ordnance to make the new national standard measures for weight & capacity. This chondrometer is an example of Bate’s output following his appointment. His quality of manufacture led him to receive Royal Appointments from George IV, William IV and Queen Victoria where he acted as Optician and he further served as the Master f the Spectacle Maker’s Guild in 1833. He was also known to have acted for the Admiralty as its main chart agent with numerous sub agents acting below him such as the instrument maker, George Stebbing. Bate traded from numerous addresses in Poultry street, London from 1808 to 1846 whereafter he moved to number 33 Royal Exchange in 1846 until his death in 1847.
A superb quality example of an early chondrometer by the maker who was commissioned to create the new national standard for measures at the introduction of the imperial system.
Price The price has been listed in British Pounds.
Conversion rates as of 13/NOV/2025. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer. Sold
Category Antique Collectables
Period Regency Antiques
Material Brass
Origin English
Item code as542a278 / 459
Status Sold
£0 
$0.00 
€0.00 
$
€
Conversion rates as of 13/NOV/2025. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer. Sold
View all stock from
Jason Clarke Antiques
Private dealerBy appointment only
Newbury
Berkshire
Tel : 07815 046645
Non UK callers : +44 7815 046645
You may also be interested in
Antique Edwardian quality iron and copper scales
Antique Edwardian brass postal scales & weights
1920s Mahogany and Brass Scales Cabinet
Late Victorian Travelling Apothecary Scales
Large Edwardian solid oak set of postal scales
Antique Set Of Brass Postal Scales On An Oak Base
Set of quality Victorian letter and postal scales
Set of antique Victorian brass scales
19th Century Butchers Steelyard for Weighing Scale
A Splendid Set Of Walnut Postal Scales
19th Century Agricultural Sack Scales by Bartlett
Post Office Scales & Weights