deck prism
Datecirca 1986
Inventory Number1997-1-1673
ClassificationPrism
Subject
Maker
Mystic Seaport Museum
1930-present
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions10.5 × 10.4 × 11.9 cm (4 1/8 × 4 1/8 × 4 11/16 in.)
Material
Accessoriesvelvet bag; authentication card
DescriptionThis is a glass replica of a deck prism found on a nineteenth-century whaler ship. It has six sides. The hexagonal base was flush with the deck and the pyramidal prism was pointing downward in order to provide light below deck. It is a hand-poured reproduction of the original prisms.
Signedunsigned
Curatorial RemarksThe tag with the object states, "Wheatland suggests that this is stored with the original rectangular glass block". SMS 7/7/2021
FunctionAccording to the Mystic Seaport Museum website: "In the days before electricity, light below a vessel's deck was limited to candles, oil and kerosene lamps. A clever solution for the light problem was the deck prism. Laid flush into the deck, the prism point drew light down below decks. This prism is an exact reproduction of Mystic Seaport's last remaining original Charles W. Morgan deck prism.
See the museum store, where such prisms are still sold as replicas.
For more on the Charles W. Morgan whaler, see the following website.
See the museum store, where such prisms are still sold as replicas.
For more on the Charles W. Morgan whaler, see the following website.
ProvenanceFrom David P. Wheatland.
Henry Hughes & Son, Ltd.
Date: 1900-1915
Accessories: instruction manual for instrument is in box of disassembled parts as are the two brass thumb screws that attach a to b.
Object number: DW0141a
Alvan Clark and Sons
Date: 1860-1870
Accessories: square wooden case with velvet cushioning
Object number: 1996-1-0029
Alvan Clark and Sons
Date: 1860-1870
Accessories: square wooden case with velvet cushioning
Object number: 1996-1-0029a
3M Company
Date: 1971-1972
Accessories: "VOICE/WRITER DECK - COMPENSATOR SWITCHING DIAGRAM" in instrument file.
Object number: 2004-1-0224
Henry Hughes & Son, Ltd.
Date: 1900-1915
Accessories: instruction manual for instrument is in box of disassembled parts.
Object number: DW0141a-p
AMPEX
Date: 1960
Accessories: plaque (separated)
Object number: RS0972a
International Business Machines Corporation
Date: 1970-1980
Object number: 2004-1-0029
Henry Hughes & Son, Ltd.
Date: 1900-1915
Accessories: instruction manual for instrument is in box of disassembled parts.
Object number: DW0141f
Tiffany & Company
Date: dated 1858
Accessories: 4" section of cable (DW0356a); letter of authenticity (DW0356b); another commemorative medal (DW0356c)
Object number: DW0356d
Tiffany & Company
Date: dated 1858
Accessories: 4" section of cable (DW0356a); letter of authenticity (DW0356b); another commemorative medal (DW0356d)
Object number: DW0356c
Henry Hughes & Son, Ltd.
Date: 1900-1915
Accessories: loose fin; instruction manual for instrument is in box of disassembled parts
Object number: DW0141i
Henry Hughes & Son, Ltd.
Date: 1900-1915
Accessories: instruction manual for instrument is in box of disassembled parts.
Object number: DW0141b