snow gauge
Date: 1840-1850
Inventory Number: 1996-1-0249
Classification: Snow Gauge
Subject:
Maker: Joseph M. Wightman (1812 - 1885)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
base: 12 × 25 × 35.5 cm (4 3/4 × 9 13/16 × 14 in.)
top (broken off): 109.6 × 26 × 26 cm (43 1/8 × 10 1/4 × 10 1/4 in.)
Description:
A precipitation gauge in the form of a tall, cylindrical, metal column on a four-footed wooden base. The gauge overall is painted green with gold decorative striping. The top of the gauge is a collector, of a greater diameter than the rest of the column, and has a brass spout. The column widens where it connects to the wooden base. There is a break in the column where it connects to the base, and when removed from the base, a stack of wooden shims can be seen inside the foot of the column. There are 5 brass valves arranged along the length of the main column.
Signedwooden base has a bone or ivory plaque: J. M. WIGHTMAN. / BOSTON.
FunctionTo measure the amount of snow that has fallen over a period of time.
Curatorial RemarksFound with meteorological instruments.