Engraved Boxwood Book Shaped Sundial Antique Time Measuring Instrument 1800s

Sand hourglass, brass container with circular base and tapered columns in the center and blown glass cruet. Duration 45 minutes. English manufacture of the early 1900s. Measures height 20 cm, diameter 11.5 cm – 7.9x4.5 inches. Shipping is insured by Lloyd's London; our gift box is free (look at the last picture). In Greece, the use of hourglasses was introduced in 325 BC, in the form of stone containers with a truncated cone shape that let water flow out of a hole in the bottom at a constant rate. Other hourglasses were cylindrical or cup-shaped and were slowly filled by a constant flow of water. Some signs on the inner surface of the container indicated the passage of hours as the liquid level rose. Another version consisted of a metal container with a hole in the bottom which, placed to float in a larger container, sank in a given time. This system remained in use until the 20th century in North Africa. These clocks were typically used at night, but not during the day, when the more accurate sundials were available. In the first half of the III century BC. Ctesibius transformed the hourglass into the more complex water clock. Various mechanisms were introduced by him and others to increase the precision of the watch by regulating the pressure and keeping the flow of water constant, but also to offer a better display of the time. The most advanced specimens could ring bells or gongs, open windows to display images, or had movable indicators, dials or representations of celestial bodies. Among the designers of watches...

La Filotecnica Ing A. Salmoiraghi Milan Centesimal tacheometer 133 b normal N. 55858 Catasto Italiano model of the second half of the 19th century, of burnished brass, complete with ...

Moving coil brass galvanometer with three-screw base, instrument signed Philip Harris Ltd Birmingham England n. 19402, made in the early 1900, a tool used as a detector of direct cur...

Stick barometer mounted on a mahogany board complete with vernier reading the variation of atmospheric pressure signed by Jesse Ramsden, end of the 18th century. Very good condition...

Barometer complete with clock signed F. Somalvico N ° 11 Brook Str. Holborn London datable between 1810 and 1820. Finely crafted mahogany wood case with cedar wood edges. Large silve...

Vertical mirror galvanometer made in 1850 circa, oak and glass, three adjustable screws at the base. Tool constituted by a magnet bar movable inside a coil and connected to a needle. In the absence of current the needle is positioned vertically while when the coil is crossed by the current it creates a magnetic field that moves the needle. This type of galvanometer was used for measurement of insulation of telegraph cables...

A beautiful decorative unique piece. An old Scandinavian Armor in metal, can either be hung on the wall or placed on a pidestall for decoration. Wear consistent with age and use.  

A late 19th century folding cobbler's boxwood and brass shoe size measure, for the French market. With folding heel rest and slinging toe marker, with brass hinge. Paris point shoe...

Wooden Wabi Sabi Mortar from Scandinavia, circa 1800s. In good vintage condition showing beautiful patina from age and use.

This scope is unsigned and was acquired from a European collector. It could be American but I'm guessing its not. The eyepiece and turning mechanism are brass. The tube is canvas wra...

This is an antique decorative butcher's steelyard. An English, cast iron weighing instrument, dating to the late 18th century, circa 1800. Decorative hanging piece with countrysid...

Early 19th Century Butchers Steelyard for Weighing Scale A good original industrial piece, the balance has blacksmith made sliding hook for adjustment of balance weight The Steel...