Accession No

2394

Brief Description

hydrometric beads, by James Corte, Scottish, 1800 (c)

Origin

Scotland; Glasgow, Foot of Saltmarket; Blackstock’s Land

Maker

Corte, James

Class

weights & measures

Earliest Date

1800

Latest Date

1800

Inscription Date

Material

glass; wood (mahogany); paper; cloth (felt)

Dimensions

box diameter 76mm; thickness 29mm

Special Collection

Provenance

Purchased from Harriet Wynter, London, England, 11/1978.

Inscription

‘Made
and Sold by
JaS. Corte
Blackstock’s Land
foot of Saltmarket
Glasgow’ (paper label in lid of box)

Description Notes

Set of 12 hydrometric beads, numbered from 22 to 32 and 34 in white paint, the weight of each bead adjusted by filing the stem.
Turned mahogany box with pushfit lid. In the lid a paper label with a scale runs 14 - 56, numbered 14 (alcohol), 15 - 17 (spirit of wine), 18, 19 (high wines), 20, 21, 22 (d whisky), 23, 24, 25 (doub’ rum), 26, 27, 28 (proof), 29, 30, 32 (british spirits), 34, 37, 40 (very weak), 45, 50, 56 (grogg). Centre (which originally covered by disc with inscription (see inscription)) reads ‘Hydrostatical glass BUBBLES to prove spirits by Jas. Corte Glasgow’.

Condition good; complete.

References

Events