Two Basle dry measures

Description

These two tumbler shaped dry measures were for measuring grain, flour or dried fruit. When the vessels were calibrated, the Basle crosier and the year 1669 were carved on the sides to show that they were legally tested measuring vessels. In Basle most dry measures were calibrated by the Gartnernzunft (growers and grocers). A notice in the guild documents for 1527 explains how the calibration was carried out: "When weights and vessels are tested at the guild, the masters must have a little beechwood tub with water in the big room and on behalf of the guild weigh and measure with all the pails and everything belonging to it, thus calibrating old and new vessels". The larger container holds 0.54 l, the smaller one 0.27 l. In Basle the measuring units were called 'Masslein' or 'halbes Masslein' or 'Gazlein the capacity of a 'Gazlein' is not known, but is thought to be 0.25 l. As the inscription beside the Basle crosier says, "Nota ist abszustreichen" (remember to level off), the measures were not heaped but level ones.