Nicaraguan Scale

While shopping in the central market we noticed these unique looking "bowls". Wondering what they are we asked the young man looking after this "store". He told us that they were a scale, used to measure dry goods like beans and rice. He then proceeded to demonstrate how to use them.

Holding onto one of the strings you pour your product into the bowl. When the wooden lever sits perfectly horizontal you have reached the proper weight. Each string corresponds to a difference amount. The amounts are 4 lbs., 2 lbs., 1 lb. and 1/2 lb. Very simple and yet quite ingenious.

I doubt if they are or were used for selling product as it would be hard to be that exact but for home use they would be great.

Jonathan showing me how to use the scale

Each string corresponds to a different weight . . .
. . . closest to the bowl is the heaviest and farther up the wood stick is lighter