Accession No
6529
Brief Description
five plaster geological models, with plaque that says 'Development & Erosion of a Volcano', by W. J. Hill after William Morris Davis, 1/2 20th Century
Origin
Maker
Hill, W. J. [maker] Davis, William Morris [models based on his theories]
Class
earth sciences; demonstration
Earliest Date
1900
Latest Date
1930
Inscription Date
Material
plaster; paint
Dimensions
[6529.1:] 408mm (w) x 131mm (d) x 8mm (t) [6529.2:] 148mm (w) x 135mm (d) x 55mm (t) [6529.3:] 146mm (w) x 135mm (d) x 52mm (t) [6529.4:] 146mm (w) x 135mm (d) x 52mm (t) [6529.5:] 144mm (w) x 130mm (d) x 43mm (t) [6529.6:] 213mm (w) x 221mm (d) x 55mm (t)
Special Collection
Provenance
Purchased from Christie’s South Kensington, 85 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 3LD from the Travel, Science and Natural History sale, 25/04/2012, lot no. 40. Potentially stock left over and stored when the London showroom of mineral and geological dealers Gregory, Bottley and Lloyd was shut down.
Inscription
[6529.1 - plaque:] “DEVELOPMENT & EROSION OF A VOLCANO”
“Based on W. M. Davis”
“WJ Hill”
Description Notes
Five plaster geological models by W. J. Hill after William Morris Davis, with plaque: ‘Development & Erosion of a Volcano’, 1/2 C20th.
[6529.1:] Plaque, plaster cast, painted light brown, with cast lettering reading “DEVELOPMENT & EROSION OF A VOLCANO”, plus manuscript black ink inscription: “Based on W. M. Davis”, and stylised black makers logo: “WJ Hill”.
[6529.2:] Square, three dimensional plaster-cast model of a volcano with single vent, in landscape, with two river valleys. Unpainted.
[6529.3:] Square, three dimensional plaster-cast model of a volcano with main and side vent, in landscape, with two river valleys. Colour painted with geological layers under landscape illustrated on side of model, including magma chamber and vent.
[6529.4:] Unpainted version of 6529.4.
[6529.5:] Square, three dimensional plaster-cast model of landscape, with volcano absent due to erosion, with two river valleys. Colour painted with geological layers under landscape illustrated on side of model.
[6529.6:] Large square, three dimensional plaster-cast model of a rift valley. Colour painted with geological layers under landscape illustrated on side of model.
Condition: fair. All models are chipped in various places, and rather dirty.
References
Events
Description
These models were designed by William Morris Davis (1850–1930), an American geologist who specialized in the study of erosion. They demonstrate the formation of volcanic landscapes caused by the periodic build-up of lava emitted by a volcano, and its gradual erosion by weather. Davis argued that water erosion played a central role in the formation of landscapes, and his models demonstrate how rivers cut channels through volcanic rock. His cycle of erosion divided rivers into three parts—the upper course the middle course and lower course—each of which produced distinct impressions on the landscape.
24/02/2014
Created by: Joshua Nall on 24/02/2014
FM:47039
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