hydrostatic balance
Date1766-1780
Inventory Number0081
ClassificationHydrostatic Balance
Subject
Attributed to
Benjamin Martin
1704 - 1782
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions28 x 8.4 x 10 cm (11 x 3 5/16 x 3 15/16 in.)
Material
Bibliography
DescriptionThe stand of this balance is made of brass with a threaded hole in the center so a rod can be fixed in it. Where the two pieces meet a ring is attached to the rod so it makes a smooth transition from base to rod. The hook for the balance is attached to a circle with hole and a screw clamps it to rod. The balance beam is thickest at the center, and each end terminates in a hollow disc with decorative posts. Up from the beam's center is a rectangular shape extending in a pointer.
Through a rod at its center the beam is mounted to a brass arch extending slightly above the pointer. An upside-down post and lintel arrangement with decorative finial hangs below. The iron beam balance and pointer are old, but most likely not original.
Through a rod at its center the beam is mounted to a brass arch extending slightly above the pointer. An upside-down post and lintel arrangement with decorative finial hangs below. The iron beam balance and pointer are old, but most likely not original.
In Collection(s)
Signedunsigned
FunctionA hydrostatic balance is used to measure the weight of the displaced water by an object. In this case, the lead ball on one arm of the balance must be in water. Small lead pellets are added on the other side of the balance in the pyramidal-shaped container until the iron beam balance is horizontal and the pointer vertical. The weight of the added pellets gives the weight of the displaced water.
L. Oertling
Date: 1880-1940
Accessories: fitted wooden block with Eimer and Amend weights; two fitted boxes of weights (mahogany); simple wooden case of small weights with sliding top; weights stuffed in a cardboard box labelled "J.B. Prescott"; miscellaneous parts in a brown cardboard box; one brass dial knob; two identical brass pieces (red, black and brass) of unknown use; a round, flat glass tray that hangs from three strings; additional perforated pan with stirrup; two glass floats in a cardboard box; cylindrical float in a black cylindrical cardboard case; black tweezer; page from Gaertner Scientific Corp., page 4, "T1005. Analytical balance" now in instrument file folder (a different make and model); paper note with following note: Water dispat 60° / 12.3535
Object number: 1996-1-0412
Eimer & Amend
Date: circa 1922
Accessories: set-up instructions; weights; corked glass viles; tweezer; magnifying glass
Object number: 1996-1-0207
American Balance Corporation
Date: circa 1960
Accessories: brush; aluminum blocks
Object number: 1996-1-0204
Fisher Scientific Company
Date: circa 1963
Accessories: Reimann thermometer-Plummet, cat. no. 2-155 No 4402 WK missing glass jar (pygnometer?); one rider
Object number: 1998-1-0090a
Herman Kohlbusch Balance Company
Date: 1860-1880
Accessories: box of weights; accessories and spare parts for balance
Object number: 1998-1-1661
Harold C. Ernst
Date: 1900-1930
Accessories: leveling screw
Object number: 1996-1-0178
Christian Becker
Date: circa 1900
Accessories: in the drawer is a small box of weights, as well as two cards giving instructions for use
Object number: 2004-1-0308
L. E. Knott Apparatus Company
Date: 1910-1920
Accessories: steel weight trays (2)
Object number: 2004-1-0305