Accession No
4487
Brief Description
artificial horizon by Stanley
Origin
London; England
Maker
Stanley
Class
navigation
Earliest Date
1875
Latest Date
1900
Inscription Date
Material
metal; brass; glass; oxidised brass; wood; cloth; satin; velvet
Dimensions
diameter 94mm; box 137 x 116 x 44mm
Special Collection
Provenance
Inscription
‘Stanley, London.’ (rim)
‘STANLEY
GREAT TURNSTILE
HOLBORN
LONDON.’ (inside lid of box)
Description Notes
Black glass artificial horizon mounted in oxidised brass, with three brass levelling screws. Glass bubble level.
Wooden box with velvet lining and satin lining in lid. Brass hinges and clasp.
Condition fine; complete.
References
Events
Description
Artificial horizon
An artificial horizon can be used in darkness, fog, or when the real horizon is obscured for any other reason. They were often used in conjunction with other instruments that need a horizontal level, such as a sextant or reflecting circle. There are records of use from the mid 16th century onwards.
The 2 basic types of artificial horizon were mercury with a glass cover – the top layer of the mercury always staying level (this type is not very practical for use on a ship) and bubble levels, where the position of bubbles in a liquid shows which way the axis is tilting.
18/10/2002
Created by: Saffron Clackson on 18/10/2002
FM:40567
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