Maria Vos made this drawing, possibly a fragment of a scale or balance, using graphite. The presence of such a sketch in the notebook of a 19th-century female artist invites us to consider the role of women in economic life and how they were represented or not represented within the cultural and artistic institutions of the Netherlands. The careful depiction of what seems to be a weighing instrument could point to the growing importance of trade and market culture in Dutch society and women's roles within it. As art historians, we can delve into the socio-economic contexts of the time by examining trade records, household inventories, and gender studies to understand the narratives behind these images. Art serves as a social mirror reflecting the evolving status and engagement of women in Dutch society.