· Quality heavy cast iron · Large platform base · Balance scale with locking mechanism · Original red paint with rustic patina? Decorating can sometimes be a balancing act, finding the perfect mix of old and new, style and function, and neutrals and colors. This scale helps you strike that balance: it will add so much vintage appeal to your home! Use it to create an antique-style display on your kitchen counter, dresser, or mantel. Add some greenery, a few flower blossoms, or some other seasonal accents for a pop of color in your room. This gorgeous piece has a generous platform base, and will also make one awesome fruit stand on your kitchen counter. Howe scales were a type of weighing scale commonly used in the 19th and early 20th centuries. They were named after their inventor, William Howe, an American engineer who patented the design in 1843. They were particularly popular in warehouses, railway stations, and marketplaces. The Howe platform scale was a significant improvement over earlier weighing scales in terms of accuracy and reliability. It consisted of a platform supported by a system of interconnected beams and levers. The load to be weighed was placed on the platform, and the weight was determined by the deflection of the beams and levers. 22″ H x 16″ W x 18″ D Platform is 12″ x 12? In working condition but not sure how accurate it is. It adorns a rich patinated painted finish.