lodestone in brass mount
Date1650-1700
Inventory NumberDW0107
ClassificationLodestone
Subject
Maker
English
?
Cultural Region
Dimensions6 x 3.7 x 3.5 cm (2 3/8 x 1 7/16 x 1 3/8 in.)
Material
Accessoriesrusted nail
DescriptionThis lodestone is mounted in a brass casing that contains two small round holes decorated with concentric circles. A suspension ring was used to measure the weight this lodestone could support and to make other experiments related to magnetism. A rusted nail is still strongly attracted to the magnetite composing the loadstone.
In Collection(s)
Signedunsigned
Inscribedlarge X scratched into each side of lodestone;
on paper tag on the base of lodestone: #107
Curatorial Remarks
FunctionMagnetite was used to re-magnetize compass needles and to do a variety of experiments with the magical power of magnetism. The notecard specifies that this particular lodestone was used for navigational purposes, which is possible because of its small size.
ProvenanceDavid Wheatland purchased from an auction in Berne, Switzerland, July 2, 1958 (lot 3425) via Ernst Weil.
Date: circa 1820
Accessories: keeper bar with brass hook; stand (DW0100b); weight (visible in old photograph) is no longer with instrument.
Object number: DW0100a
Edmund Scientific Corporation
Date: circa 1950
Accessories: envelope
Object number: 1998-1-1564
George R. Agassiz Station, Harvard
Date: 1900-1930
Accessories: nail
Object number: 1997-1-0861
French
Date: 1855-1890
Accessories: box of feet for base
4 feet consisting of brass strips with screw holes at either end and iron points
8 screws, somewhat rusted
Object number: DW0329
W & A. K. Johnston, Ltd.
Date: c. 1872
Accessories: rectangular and round wood stretchers
Object number: 2008-1-0308d
Edwin H. Land
Date: 1955-1980
Object number: 2004-1-0264a
Edwin H. Land
Date: 1955-1980
Object number: 2004-1-0264b
General Radio Company
Date: circa 1955
Accessories: 2 small rusted keys.
Object number: RS0225