manual D.C. electric generator
Date1870-1900
Inventory NumberDW0829
ClassificationGenerator
Subject
Maker
Charles Chardin
fl. 1870 - 1940
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions12.9 × 18 × 19.3 cm (5 1/16 × 7 1/16 × 7 5/8 in.)
Material
Accessorieskey; mahogany case
DescriptionThe generator is housed in a rectangular mahogany box that opens with a single long brass hinge on one of the short edges. There is a brass handle above a metal maker's plaque in the center of the top lid panel. There is a brass plated key hole, and a brass latch on the front panel and top edge of the other short edge of the box.
The inside of the box is partitioned into two halves by a metal divider. A brass cylindrical pole runs perpendicular to the divider at each small end of the box. On the right-hand side of the divider (taking the hinge as the back) are two coils of wire in, each on an orange spool and covered in black insulation. They are mounted on a forking metal spool whose rightmost end is a toothed cylinder. This toothed cylinder is geared into the teeth of a larger brass gear that sits along the long right edge of the box. This brass gear is on a metal axle that extends through a hole in the side of the box and becomes a brass crank with a wooden handle. Users manually turn the crank, which turns the large gear, subsequently spinning the coils. There is also be a stationary horseshoe magnet in the box, but it is obscured from view.
A metal bar in between the two coils extends through the partition to the left side of the box. There are two metal brushes attached to the top surface of the bar. Two wires in green insulation emerge from the contact point and connect to a metal, key shaped connector pin. Another set of wires in red insulation connecting to such a pin is loose with the generator. These pins can be attached to one of four brass connections on the outside of the left long edge of the box. The produced current can be harnessed from these connections.
There are two small empty rectangular boxes inside the box, created by mahogany partitions, for storing extra pieces and accessories.
The inside of the box is partitioned into two halves by a metal divider. A brass cylindrical pole runs perpendicular to the divider at each small end of the box. On the right-hand side of the divider (taking the hinge as the back) are two coils of wire in, each on an orange spool and covered in black insulation. They are mounted on a forking metal spool whose rightmost end is a toothed cylinder. This toothed cylinder is geared into the teeth of a larger brass gear that sits along the long right edge of the box. This brass gear is on a metal axle that extends through a hole in the side of the box and becomes a brass crank with a wooden handle. Users manually turn the crank, which turns the large gear, subsequently spinning the coils. There is also be a stationary horseshoe magnet in the box, but it is obscured from view.
A metal bar in between the two coils extends through the partition to the left side of the box. There are two metal brushes attached to the top surface of the bar. Two wires in green insulation emerge from the contact point and connect to a metal, key shaped connector pin. Another set of wires in red insulation connecting to such a pin is loose with the generator. These pins can be attached to one of four brass connections on the outside of the left long edge of the box. The produced current can be harnessed from these connections.
There are two small empty rectangular boxes inside the box, created by mahogany partitions, for storing extra pieces and accessories.
Signedengraved on plaque on case lid: CH. CHARDIN / PARIS
Inscribedengraved in black lettering along case edge: 111362
FunctionElectric generator transforms mechanical motion into electric current. Users manually turn the crank on the outside of the box that spins the coils. Since they are in the presence of a horseshoe magnet, an electric current is produced. Connectors on the side permit the current to be used to power various objects. Likely for demonstrative rather than practical purposes, given that the instrument is manually operated.
ProvenanceDavid Wheatland purchased from Roux-Devillas Paris, June 1, 1963 (lot 1/1).
French
Date: circa 1880
Accessories: protecting case with glass window
Object number: DW0095
American
Date: circa 1875
Accessories: flywheel (DW0085b)
Object number: DW0085a
Date: 1890-1930
Object number: RS0528
Adrien Gavard
Date: circa 1860
Accessories: hinged mahogany case with original trade label; extra arm; writing implements; instrument weights; small ivory wheels with brass frames
Object number: 1997-1-1856
Date: late 19th-early 20th Century
Object number: RS0168
W. & S. Jones
Date: circa 1820
Accessories: wooden storage case
ivory caps
extra brass arm
Object number: DW0807