60° liquid prism
Date: circa 1870
Inventory Number: 2007-1-0026
Classification: Prism
Subject:
Maker: John Browning (c. 1831 - 1925)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
prism: 12.5 x 6 x 6.5 cm (4 15/16 x 2 3/8 x 2 9/16 in.)
box: 16.5 x 8 cm (6 1/2 x 3 1/8 in.)
Description:
The bottle is made of thick glass. It is shaped as an equilateral triangle with two flat-faced sides and one curved side. The flat faces are polished. The angle between them is 60°. The bottle is filled with a clear, unidentified liquid. (It might be carbon bisulphide).
The bottle has a stopper which is covered with a piece of leather that is tied down.
The bottle is stored in a cylindrical tin box with a pressure-fitting cover. There is cotton batting in the tin box.
The bottle has a stopper which is covered with a piece of leather that is tied down.
The bottle is stored in a cylindrical tin box with a pressure-fitting cover. There is cotton batting in the tin box.
Signedetched in script letters on bottle: John Browning / London
FunctionA liquid prism was used in spectroscopy studies of the stars and chemicals.
Curatorial RemarksFor liquid spectroscopy and Browning, see 1997-1-0910.