etui of drawing instruments
Date: 1770-1785
Inventory Number: DW0710
Classification: Etui
Dimensions:18 x 9 x 4 cm (7 1/16 x 3 9/16 x 1 9/16 in.)
DescriptionThis etui is made of wood covered with green shagreen. The framing is silver as is the button catch. The top of the etui is missing. The instruments in the etui are brass and ivory. They include:
(1) rectangular protractor and scale
The ivory protractor has divisions every 1° from 0°-180° in both directions. There is a scale of chords in the center, running from 0°-90°. It is signed "[star] Adams [dot] London [star]." On the reverse side, there are scales of equal parts (30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60) and a decimal diagonal scale.
(2) double parallel rule
Made of ivory with three rules and pierced brass brackets. Two knobs.
(3) [sector missing]
There is an empty slot, which held an ivory sector with a silver hinge.
(4) dividers
Brass dividers with flat hinge and steel points. One leg is designed to accept alternative inserts. It currently has a steel point on a brass joint, which can be angled.
(5) ruling pen and pricker
This brass pen has steel blades to hold the ink and a knurled screw to adjust the thickness of the line. The decoratively turned column is threaded onto another column that holds a pricker.
(6) ruling pen insert
Jointed brass insert with steel blades and knurled screw to hold ink. This goes with the dividers above to turn them into a drawing compass.
(7) pencil insert and extender
Jointed brass insert with holder for graphite. It is currently in a brass extender to make the drawing compass larger.
(8) small ruling pen insert
Smaller, jointed ruling pen insert, with steel blades and brass top. Missing screw to adjust width of line.
(9) small compass
Small drawing compass with ruling pen. Brass with steel points and pen blades. Knurled adjustment screw. Turned finial above the flat hinge can be angled with respect to the hinge and has point to be inserted into another compass or extender.
(10) wrench and screw driver
Brass diamond-shaped tool with a steel screw driver on one end and a two-pointed wrench on the other. (The wrench is used to tighten the flat hinge of the dividers.)
There are two attachments for dividers or the compass missing. One was likely a wheel pen.