lodestone
Datecirca 1820
Inventory NumberDW0100a
ClassificationLodestone
Subject
Cultural Region
Dimensions18.2 × 10.6 × 7.8 cm (7 3/16 × 4 3/16 × 3 1/16 in.)
Material
Accessorieskeeper bar with brass hook; stand (DW0100b); weight (visible in old photograph) is no longer with instrument.
DescriptionThis is a 5 pound, square, cubic, dark metallic grey lodestone with small rust spots dispersed throughout the surface.
The lodestone is bound in two plain brass bands (keepers), and a brass cap with heavily armored iron pole pieces at the top, a circular suspension ring at the top for hanging, and a curved hook at the bottom for suspending a weight (now missing). The hook at the bottom is not physically attached to the lodestone, only adherng to it due to its magnetism.
This lodestone can be suspended from a wooden stand (DW0100b).
The lodestone is bound in two plain brass bands (keepers), and a brass cap with heavily armored iron pole pieces at the top, a circular suspension ring at the top for hanging, and a curved hook at the bottom for suspending a weight (now missing). The hook at the bottom is not physically attached to the lodestone, only adherng to it due to its magnetism.
This lodestone can be suspended from a wooden stand (DW0100b).
Signedunsigned
FunctionLodestones were often kept in brass, bronze, or silver cases. Sometimes they had an iron or steel keeper, bars to help preserve their magnetic powers. Along with experiments in magnetism, lodestones were also associated with magic and alchemy, as well as navigation (since they were believed to automatically orient themselves towards the north).
They were even used in medical practice because magnets could draw out illness if they were placed on or near the afflicted body part. One theory maintains that magnets produce a slight electrical current. When magnets are applied to a painful area of the body, the nerves in that area are stimulated, thus releasing the body's natural painkillers. The other theory maintains that when magnets are applied to a painful area of the body, all the cells in that area react to increase blood circulation, ion exchange, and oxygen flow to the area.
If they were large (e.g. over 20 pounds), it is unlikely that they could be used for navigational purposes because they had to fit on a ship. In this case, although the stand would probably not have been on a ship, the 5 pound, 7 ounce stone theoretically could have been used for this purpose.
Suspending the lodestone to a stand and letting weights hang from the hook magnetically attached to it could be a means of testing the lodestone's strength and weakening over time.
They were even used in medical practice because magnets could draw out illness if they were placed on or near the afflicted body part. One theory maintains that magnets produce a slight electrical current. When magnets are applied to a painful area of the body, the nerves in that area are stimulated, thus releasing the body's natural painkillers. The other theory maintains that when magnets are applied to a painful area of the body, all the cells in that area react to increase blood circulation, ion exchange, and oxygen flow to the area.
If they were large (e.g. over 20 pounds), it is unlikely that they could be used for navigational purposes because they had to fit on a ship. In this case, although the stand would probably not have been on a ship, the 5 pound, 7 ounce stone theoretically could have been used for this purpose.
Suspending the lodestone to a stand and letting weights hang from the hook magnetically attached to it could be a means of testing the lodestone's strength and weakening over time.
ProvenanceDavid Wheatland purchased from Alain Brieux, Paris, July 28, 1966 (lot 25/2).
Edmund Scientific Corporation
Date: circa 1950
Accessories: envelope
Object number: 1998-1-1564
Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory
Date: 1895-1919
Accessories: Panorama of landmarks visible from the Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory
Map of the Blue Hills Reservation and its surrounding area from 1919
Topographical map of the Blue Hills Reservation from 1895
Object number: 1998-1-0977
Voland & Sons
Date: late 19th-early 20th Century
Accessories: glass bar covering aluminum pieces
Object number: 1996-1-0218
German
Date: circa 1550
Accessories: Screw bar and fastening nuts attachments in box. Appears to be complete.
Object number: DW0730
Richard W. Thomas
Date: circa 1861
Accessories: bottle and beaker (1998-1-1634a); hydrometer and manual (1998-1-1634b)
Object number: 1998-1-1634
See also/See also
