Images(4)

thermometer

Date1809-1918

Inventory Number5603d

ClassificationThermometer

Subject

Maker Bernard Cermenati ca. 1783 - 1818

Owner Andrew Nichols 1837 - 1921

Cultural Region

Place of Origin

Dimensions21 x 4.5 x 2 cm (8 1/4 x 1 3/4 x 13/16 in.)

Material

DescriptionA small thermometer consisting of a narrow glass tube with a visible bulb filled with mercury, fixed to a metallic plate with an engraved scale. The scale goes from -60 to 220 degrees Fahrenheit and is marked at several significant meteorological or physiological temperatures: around 32 -- water freezes; around 55 -- temperate; around 76 -- summer heat; around 98 -- blood heat; around 112 -- fever heat; around 177 -- spirits boils; around 212 -- water boils.

Signedon the top of plate: B. Cermenati / Salem

Inscribedon plate, script: Andrew Nichols

Curatorial RemarksStored with 5601.

FunctionAn atmospheric thermometer with a relatively broad scale. Could probably be used also to measure the temperature of heated liquids by taking it off its mount.

ProvenanceFrom Andrew Nathan Nichols, a descendant of Edward Holyoke, former President of Harvard University.

Historical AttributesWas owned by Andrew Nichols (1837-1921), a descendant of Edward Holyoke, former President of Harvard University.