The wooden box contains 2 metal objects and 1 wooden object. The paper note with the measuring device bears the inscription:

'Chinese balance: When the fulcrum nearer the centre of the beam is used, the weight just balances the pan when placed at the near end of the shorter scale. The total length of the short scale corresponds to 10 grams; each larger division is 0.5 gm, and each smaller one 0.1 gm. A change of weight of 0.1gm is easily detectable. By using the fulcrum nearer the pan and the longer scale, weights up to 50 grams may be measured. The pan loaded with 10 grams balances the weight at the near end of the longer scale. Each small division on the longer scale corresponds to 1 gram. A balance of this size may be used for drugs; larger models are universally used in shops of all kinds in China.'