set of drawing instruments
Date: circa 1863
Inventory Number: DW0489
Classification: Drawing Instruments
Subject:
Maker: Elliott Brothers (1853 - 1916)
Maker: Tachet (fl. 1840s - 1860s)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
8.1 x 34.4 x 16.5 cm, 7.4 lb. (3 3/16 x 13 9/16 x 6 1/2 in., 3.4 kg)
Material:
Accessories: wooden case; bill of sale and the dealer's tag, in the instrument's file
DescriptionThe drawing instruments are stored in a rectangular wooden box that opens with two nickel-silver hinges along one of the long edges. Each corner of the case is reinforced with interwoven nickel-silver corners. There are two brass knobs on the rim of the lid of the case that fit into two holes in the rim of the bottom half. There is a nickel-silver plate and key hole on the front of the bottom half of the box that can release the knobs, opening the case. The top shelf on the bottom half of the case is contoured to fit the drawing instruments and is lined with dark blue velvet. It lifts out revealing a second shelf with wooden sections for storing the rules. The inner lid of the case is also lined with blue velvet. This panel pulls back revealing 2 wooden French Curves.
The top shelf holds 29 drawing instruments, most with nickel-silver implements and handles: jointed dividers points, fine pen, pen, pencil, lengthening bar, perforating wheels, dividers, two sets of small dividers/compass with interchangeable points, pencil, pen, each with different width writing instruments, proportional compass, double pen, five ivory handled wide, medium, and fine pens, prick point, and pencil.
The second shelf holds 21 instruments: six long ivory rules, six short ivory rules, an ivory sector or military compass, a large rolling rule (with ivory edges, black wooden body with steel roller fixed in a central track, and devices at either end to measure rolls), a nickel-silver parallel rule (with three nickel-silver rules attached by three-part triangular pivots), an ivory-handled, nickel-silver-tipped screw driver and five small ivory storage cylinders.
The top shelf holds 29 drawing instruments, most with nickel-silver implements and handles: jointed dividers points, fine pen, pen, pencil, lengthening bar, perforating wheels, dividers, two sets of small dividers/compass with interchangeable points, pencil, pen, each with different width writing instruments, proportional compass, double pen, five ivory handled wide, medium, and fine pens, prick point, and pencil.
The second shelf holds 21 instruments: six long ivory rules, six short ivory rules, an ivory sector or military compass, a large rolling rule (with ivory edges, black wooden body with steel roller fixed in a central track, and devices at either end to measure rolls), a nickel-silver parallel rule (with three nickel-silver rules attached by three-part triangular pivots), an ivory-handled, nickel-silver-tipped screw driver and five small ivory storage cylinders.
Signedengraved on several instruments: ELLIOTT LONDON
engraved on ivory sector in black lettering: ELLIOTT. 30 STRAND LONDON / W. LOVETT
engraved on large roller rule: FH & C ELLIOTT 30 STRAND LONDON
engraved on bottom arm of sector: W. LOVETT
engraved on silver instrument arm in script: Elliott Brothers London
engraved on six long ivory rules in black letters: ELLIOTT 30 STRAND LONDON
engraved on four short ivory rules in black letters: ELLIOTT 30 STRAND
engraved on two short rules in black letters: ELLIOTT LONDON
engraved on two wooden ornamental designs: TACHET / A PARIS
engraved on ivory sector in black lettering: ELLIOTT. 30 STRAND LONDON / W. LOVETT
engraved on large roller rule: FH & C ELLIOTT 30 STRAND LONDON
engraved on bottom arm of sector: W. LOVETT
engraved on silver instrument arm in script: Elliott Brothers London
engraved on six long ivory rules in black letters: ELLIOTT 30 STRAND LONDON
engraved on four short ivory rules in black letters: ELLIOTT 30 STRAND
engraved on two short rules in black letters: ELLIOTT LONDON
engraved on two wooden ornamental designs: TACHET / A PARIS
FunctionThe ivory sector and its many sets of measurements are used to facilitate various mathematical calculations from trigonometry to square roots. The sector is also called a military compass because of its immense utility for navigation and gunnery calculations. The parallel rule is used to construct parallel sets of lines with varying distances. The various ivory rules are for drawing and measuring plane lines. The various dividers are used to translate proportionate figures. The ruling pens are used in conjunction with ink or another drawing fluid to produce lines of consistent and adjustable width. Users can twist the screw to adjust the distance between the points. The points are then dipped in drawing liquid. The liquid is stored in between the points using principles of surface tension and released consistently onto a writing surface below. The various compasses can be used as dividers when points are fixed on both arms. Compasses can be coupled with pencils or pens to draw circles and arc lengths in ink or lead. The lengthening bar is used to add length to certain compatible pens and pencils. This drawing set would be useful for mathematicians, draftsmen, engineers, and even artists.
Curatorial RemarksElliott Bros. were in business in 30 Strand from 1858-1863. Tachet was especially known for the French curves' drawing instrument, called "pistolet" for their particular shape. See the 1842 description from a Paris travel guide here.