electric revolving motor
Datecirca 1850
Inventory NumberDW0826
ClassificationMotor
Subject
Maker
French
?
Cultural Region
Dimensions21 × 15 × 15 cm (8 1/4 × 5 7/8 × 5 7/8 in.)
Material
DescriptionThis object rests atop a small circular base mounted atop a slightly larger circular base. Three arms, equidistant from each other, shoot out of the bottom base; a large leveling screw is threaded through the circular terminus of each arm.
A large U-shaped magnet rests vertically atop the circular base. The area in the middle of the magnet is filled by three connected parts. The first, at the bottom, is a faded orange mercury cup. (It slid; it should be up towards the coil.) There are two electric contacts on the cup and one thumbscrew for height adjustment. From this cup, the second, a metal rod, emerges upright. The top of the rod is connected by a much thinner metal rod as well as by two wires to the last component, a long thin coil (with an iron core).
A large U-shaped magnet rests vertically atop the circular base. The area in the middle of the magnet is filled by three connected parts. The first, at the bottom, is a faded orange mercury cup. (It slid; it should be up towards the coil.) There are two electric contacts on the cup and one thumbscrew for height adjustment. From this cup, the second, a metal rod, emerges upright. The top of the rod is connected by a much thinner metal rod as well as by two wires to the last component, a long thin coil (with an iron core).
Signedunsigned
FunctionThis motor works as follow: Two wires, one bearing current, are connected to the metal tabs on the mercury cup. The current runs through the mercury and up to the coil, which, upon being magnetized, spins in place. The circuit is closed by the current coming down from the coil and exiting the cup from the other tab. The cup is compartmentalized in two circular sections, each containing mercury.
ProvenanceDavid Wheatland purchased from Alain Brieux, Paris, May 15, 1964 (lot 16/8).
Charles-Louis Chevalier
Date: circa 1820
Accessories: (b) glass cup (stored separately on same shelf); (c) long, Y-shaped brass tube (tied to pump)
Object number: DW0822a-c
Thomas Hall
Date: circa 1890
Accessories: pulley rope
Object number: 1997-1-1423