Images(5)

electricity measuring device

Object NameVolta's Straw Electroscope

Made FromLacquered Brass, Glass, Metal, Wax, Straw

Dateabout 1790

TechniqueTurned, lacquered, blown, cut, engraved, assembled

SizeOverall H: 13.5 cm, W: 5.8 cm, D: 5.8 cm

Accession Number2018.8.17

Curatorial Area(s)

Place Made

Europe

Physical DescriptionVolta's Straw Electroscope. Turned and lacquered brass, blown and cut glass, red wax, metal, straw; engraved, assembled. This early electrometer has a square brass base, a four-sided hand-blown and cut glass body, and an upper lacquered brass assembly from which are suspended fine strands of straw. The dome exterior has red lacquered apex; the interior two metal (lead?) foil "terminals" on opposite sides. Joints are sealed with red wax. The glass is hand-engraved with a scale divided every unit 0±9, to measure quantitatively the displacements of the strands under electrostatic charge.
Provenance

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