Was the Arithmometer in production from about 1814, do you know? The earliest one I can find was Patented in France by Thomas de Colmar in 1820, I think the most popular design was by a Swedish bloke called Odhmar who worked in Russia, producing them until the revolution in 1917. I wonder if Arthur Scherbius got his ideas for the enigma encryption machines from them?
Glad you like it Rog, it almost has that 'made it in me shed' look of the 1930s fret-work brigade. I couldn't find any details about it other than its obvious purpose.
I'm with you on number 1. Mike, although I originally suspected Han dynasty, Chinese. (I have a Han period crossbow's bronze safety catch of about that period somewhere among my bits and bobs.) 2. Is too obvious to mention (but I will) it's a John Deer tractor seat dated 1847. 3. A Kushan gold dinar c.128-150 AD of Ardochsho (or possibly Asha Vahishta) 4. Yes a manual calculator of about 1930. (a digital device in that it was operated by your digits.) 5. A large stoneware double-faced jug by the Martin Brothers who produced the comically ugly Wally-birds (The eyes are the give-away.) 6. A portable/pocket cuspidor (Yeughk!) 7. Odd-Fellows ceremonial hoodwinks ? 8. A rather fine silver-plated duck-press. (The legs are the give-away) 9. A Martin Brothers' grotesque stoneware spoon warmer in the form of a frog.
I'll have No 4 , the mechanical calculator. Never seen one like that before - looks even earlier than the Arithmometer
ReplyDeleteWas the Arithmometer in production from about 1814, do you know? The earliest one I can find was Patented in France by Thomas de Colmar in 1820, I think the most popular design was by a Swedish bloke called Odhmar who worked in Russia, producing them until the revolution in 1917. I wonder if Arthur Scherbius got his ideas for the enigma encryption machines from them?
DeleteGlad you like it Rog, it almost has that 'made it in me shed' look of the 1930s fret-work brigade. I couldn't find any details about it other than its obvious purpose.
ReplyDelete(1) is a bronze Japanese cross bow lock, dating from around the 1st century B.C./A.D.
ReplyDelete(4) Appears to be a comptometer, circa 1930.
I'm with you on number 1. Mike, although I originally suspected Han dynasty, Chinese. (I have a Han period crossbow's bronze safety catch of about that period somewhere among my bits and bobs.)
Delete2. Is too obvious to mention (but I will) it's a John Deer tractor seat dated 1847.
3. A Kushan gold dinar c.128-150 AD of Ardochsho (or possibly Asha Vahishta)
4. Yes a manual calculator of about 1930. (a digital device in that it was operated by your digits.)
5. A large stoneware double-faced jug by the Martin Brothers who produced the comically ugly Wally-birds (The eyes are the give-away.)
6. A portable/pocket cuspidor (Yeughk!)
7. Odd-Fellows ceremonial hoodwinks ?
8. A rather fine silver-plated duck-press. (The legs are the give-away)
9. A Martin Brothers' grotesque stoneware spoon warmer in the form of a frog.