Balance, London, England, 1860-1880

Made:
1860-1880 in London
maker:
L Oertling
Balance, London, England, 1860-1880 Apothecary's balance, model 00, in rectangular glass case
Balance, London, England, 1860-1880 Apothecary's balance, model 00, in rectangular glass case

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Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Apothecary's balance, model 00, in rectangular glass case
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Apothecary's balance, model 00, in rectangular glass case, lower drawer contains 5 spare pans, 2 brass scoops, small envelope of powder and 79 assorted weights, made by Oertling, London, English, c.1880

Accurately measuring out ingredients for medical treatments is vital to ensure the patient takes the correct dosage. If incorrect the dosages can be lethal. Enclosed by a wooden glass and ivory case, this brass and steel balance was designed by Ludwig Oertling. He had settled in London from Germany in the early 1840s and his firm became the leading manufacturer of balances in Britain. Oertling’s balances were also used in scientific research and chemical analysis.

Details

Category:
Pharmacy-ware
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A656022
Materials:
case, wood, case, glass, case, ivory, stand, brass, stand, ivory, scales, brass, weights, brass, weights, steel, pans, brass and pans, glass
Measurements:
overall: 341 mm x 344 mm x 220 mm, 3.88 kg
type:
balance

Parts

5 assorted pans

5 assorted pans

5 assorted pans, circular, none fit scales, 4 glass and one brass

Materials:
brass and glass
Object Number:
A656022 Pt1
type:
pans
2 small brass scoops

2 small brass scoops

2 small brass scoops, circular bowls, flat handles

Materials:
brass
Object Number:
A656022 Pt2
type:
scoops
Bell-shaped 1/4 ounce weight

Bell-shaped 1/4 ounce weight

Bell-shaped 1/4 ounce weight, brass

Materials:
brass
Object Number:
A656022 Pt3
type:
weights
4 steel, square weights - all to weigh 2 drams

4 steel, square weights - all to weigh 2 drams

4 steel, square weights - all to weigh 2 drams

Materials:
steel
Object Number:
A656022 Pt4
type:
weights
2 steel, square weights - both to weight 1 dram

2 steel, square weights - both to weight 1 dram

2 steel, square weights - both to weight 1 dram

Materials:
brass
Object Number:
A656022 Pt5
type:
weights
Rectangular brass 2 drachm weight made by W and T.Avery

Rectangular brass 2 drachm weight made by W and T.Avery

Rectangular brass 2 drachm weight made by W and T.Avery, Birmingham

Materials:
brass
Object Number:
A656022 Pt6
type:
weights
Set of 3 sample weights

Set of 3 sample weights

Set of 3 sample weights, brass, rectangular

Materials:
brass
Object Number:
A656022 Pt7
type:
weights
Set of 3 dram weights

Set of 3 dram weights

Set of 3 dram weights, brass, square

Materials:
brass
Object Number:
A656022 Pt8
type:
weight sets
Set of 3 dram weights

Set of 3 dram weights

Set of 3 dram weights, square, brass

Materials:
brass
Object Number:
A656022 Pt9
type:
weight sets
Set of 3 sample weights

Set of 3 sample weights

Set of 3 sample weights, scruple, brass

Materials:
brass
Object Number:
A656022 Pt10
type:
weight sets
2 circular, brass weights

2 circular, brass weights

2 circular, brass weights, 1x2 drams and 1x1 dram

Materials:
brass
Object Number:
A656022 Pt11
type:
weights
Rectangular, brass 2 dram weight

Rectangular, brass 2 dram weight

Rectangular, brass 2 dram weight

Materials:
brass
Object Number:
A656022 Pt12
type:
weights
Square, brass 2 scruple weight

Square, brass 2 scruple weight

Square, brass 2 scruple weight

Materials:
brass
Object Number:
A656022 Pt13
type:
weights
Tiny brass 1/2 scruple weight

Tiny brass 1/2 scruple weight

Tiny brass 1/2 scruple weight, square

Materials:
brass
Object Number:
A656022 Pt14
type:
weights
10x6 grain weights

10x6 grain weights

10x6 grain weights, thin brass, roughly square

Materials:
brass
Object Number:
A656022 Pt15
type:
weights
7x5 grain weights

7x5 grain weights

7x5 grain weights, thin brass, roughly square

Materials:
brass
Object Number:
A656022 Pt16
type:
weights
9x4 grain weights

9x4 grain weights

9x4 grain weights, thin brass, roughly square

Materials:
brass
Object Number:
A656022 Pt17
type:
weights
8x3 grain weights

8x3 grain weights

8x3 grain weights, thin brass, roughly square

Materials:
brass
Object Number:
A656022 Pt18
type:
weights
5x2 grain weights

5x2 grain weights

5x2 grain weights, thin brass, roughly square

Materials:
brass
Object Number:
A656022 Pt19
type:
weights
3x1 grain weights

3x1 grain weights

3x1 grain weights, thin brass, roughly square

Materials:
brass
Object Number:
A656022 Pt20
type:
weights
4x1/2 grain weights

4x1/2 grain weights

4x1/2 grain weights, thin brass, roughly square

Materials:
brass
Object Number:
A656022 Pt21
type:
weights
3 thin brass grain weights - 1x6

3 thin brass grain weights - 1x6

3 thin brass grain weights - 1x6, 1x5 and 1x3 grains

Materials:
brass
Object Number:
A656022 Pt22
type:
weights
Thin steel 6 grain weight in form of a number 6

Thin steel 6 grain weight in form of a number 6

Thin steel 6 grain weight in form of a number 6

Materials:
steel
Object Number:
A656022 Pt23
type:
weights
Thin steel 3 grain weight in form of a number 3

Thin steel 3 grain weight in form of a number 3

Thin steel 3 grain weight in form of a number 3

Materials:
steel
Object Number:
A656022 Pt24
type:
weights
Thin steel 1/2 grain weight in form of number 1/2

Thin steel 1/2 grain weight in form of number 1/2

Thin steel 1/2 grain weight in form of number 1/2

Materials:
steel
Object Number:
A656022 Pt25
type:
weights
Small amount of greenish crystals wrapper in paper

Small amount of greenish crystals wrapper in paper

Small amount of greenish crystals wrapper in paper, contained in a small white envolope

Materials:
paper
Object Number:
A656022 Pt26
type:
envelopes

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