Accession No
6522
Brief Description
six framed pedagogical chemistry teaching panels, by Les Fils d’Emile Deyrolle [The sons of Emile Deyrolle], French, 1925 (c)
Origin
France; Paris; 46 rue du Bac; La Maison Deyrolle
Maker
Les Fils d’Emile Deyrolle
Class
chemistry; prints; demonstration
Earliest Date
1917
Latest Date
1950
Inscription Date
Material
wood (pine?); glass; paper (paper, card); metal (steel); cloth (cotton, silk)
Dimensions
[All 6 are:] 897mm tall x 708mm wide x 38mm deep
Special Collection
Provenance
Purchased from Christie’s South Kensington, 85 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 3LD on or before 01/05/2012. Lot no. 421 from the Interiors sale.
Inscription
[On all 6, at top:] CHIMIE
[On all 6, at bottom:] Mobilier et Materiel pour l’Enseignement - LES FILS D’EMILE DEYROLLE, 46 rue du Bac, Paris
Description Notes
Six framed pedagogical chemistry teaching panels, by Les Fils d’Emile Deyrolle, French, c. 1925.
Original paper-on-card panels have been mounted inside sturdy wood frames. Frames include an orange cotton and silk velvet edging around inside of frame. Original panels contain two steel-edged holes near their top, from which they would have been hung.
All six panels carry the title “CHIMIE” top centre and a three-digit identification number at top right. Above this three digit number is a crossed out two digit number. Below the “CHIMIE” title is the title of the specific panel. Each panel contains text and illustrations in French, outlining the manufacture and uses of the panel’s subject. Mounted on each panel are also a number of chemical specimens, held in place by steel wire, either mounted directly or mounted inside glass containers. Many of these specimens are missing (these specimens were missing at the time of purchase).
The specific panels are:
6522.1: “Hydrogène”.
Bottled specimens present: hydrogen (gas); zinc granules; iron filings.
Condition: Fair. Some damages and water marks.
6522.2: “Eau”.
All specimens have been removed.
Condition: Fair. Some damages and slight water marking.
6522.3: “Soufre”.
Bottled specimens present: powdered sulfur; black powder (gunpowder). Specimens mounter directly to board: block of sulfur; vulcanised rubber; sulfur wick.
Condition: Fair/poor. Some damages, and considerable water marking all over.
6522.4: “Acide Sulfhydrique”.
Bottled specimens present: hydrogen sulfide (gas), lead sulfide (powder), arsenic trisulfide (powder), tin sulfide (powder); copper sulfide (powder); antimony sulfide (powder); zinc sulfide (powder); sulfur dioxide (gas).
Condition: Fair/poor. Some damages and water marking, with serious water damage at bottom.
6522.5: “Azote”.
Bottled specimens present: nitrogen (gas); mercury oxide (powder).
Condition: Fair. Some damages and slight water marks.
6522.6: “Ammoniac”.
Bottled specimen of ammonium chloride present. All other specimens removed.
Condition: fair/poor. Some markings, with serious water damage at base of panel.
[NOTE: Original acquisition was of seven panels. However, one panel was a duplicate of 6522.2, but in poorer condition. As such, the duplicate was accessioned into the handling collection as HC113]
References
Events
Description
The Parisian firm of Deyrolle have been manufacturing and selling teaching models, botanical and zoological specimens, and other scientific educational material since 1831. They still trade out of the same premises, 46 Rue du Bac, that the famous naturalist Émile Deyrolle bought for the firm in 1888. Amongst Émile’s most successful produce were a large variety of pedagogical wall charts, sold under the title of “Musée Scolaire Deyrolle” (”Deyrolle School Museum”), intended to teach primary and secondary school children the fundamentals of subjects such as chemistry, botany, zoology, entomology, and geography. As Deyrolle’s sales catalogue put it, “Education by the eyes is less tiresome for the mind. However, this education can only bear its fruits if the described material is perfectly accurate”. These six chemistry charts, which include actual specimens mounted on the board, were produced by Émile Deyrolle’s sons, who took over the firm from their father. They convey fundamental information about the manufacture and uses of chemical elements such as hydrogen and chemical compounds such as ammonia.
11/12/2013
Created by: Joshua Nall on 11/12/2013
FM:47031
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