Engineering and Scientific
The
Works of Art and Clocks
department handles a wide selection of engineering and scientific instruments from
telescopes, microscopes, table, floor and pocket globes to musical boxes, surgical
equipment, drawing instruments and corkscrews.
A Pair of Regency 12 Inch Terrestrial and Celestial Table Globes by Dudley Adams
(1762-1830) offered in our April 2013 Fine Sale realised £22,000 (FS18/756).
From the beginning of man's existence, he has been exploring his place in the Universe
- not only his place amongst the stars, but also his actual position on Earth -
using scientific and engineering instruments. For instance, it was the use of a telescope
with mathematics that led to the discovery that the planets circle the sun.
The department encounters many early engineering and scientific instruments used
by man on his voyage of discovery.
Telescopes enlarge distant objects and are often used in both celestial and terrestrial
observations. We regularly sell telescopes at auction, with Dolland being
amongst the best known makers. We also occasionally sell Orreries, which are mechanical
models of the solar system, showing the revolutions of the planets and moons in
relative size and distance to each other.
At the other end of the scale, magnifying glasses and microscopes enlarge objects
too small to be examined by the naked eye. From simple microscopes by Culpepper
to the highly elaborate and sophisticated Victorian and Edwardian microscopes by
Beck and others, these optical instruments are collectable in their own
right.
Surveyor's theodolites and levels helped forge the Industrial Revolution with the
building of railways and canals. Compasses and sextants have helped man navigate
his world further.
Included in this fine art category are musical boxes, which are driven by clockwork
and made to play up to twelve tunes. The cylinders have pins inserted into them,
which strike a tooth on a steel comb that produces a note. Muscical boxes are
often produced in table top form; sometimes with several cylinders, thus being able
to play more tunes. In many respects, musical boxes were the CD player of their
day, often with a repeat lever, but no shuffle lever!
Specialists
 | Martin McIlroy
Department Head
|  | Leigh Extence
Clock Consultant
|