Attractions
In the 18th century the ambiguous term "attraction," taken from the vocabulary of alchemy, was employed in various fields, such as astronomy, electricity and magnetism. The upper classes commonly used the term to allude to sexual attraction.
Azimuth compass
Inv. 3373
Maker unknown, English, late 18th cent.
Dip circle
Inv. 1195
Maker unknown, second half 18th cent.
Henley quadrant electrometer
Inv. 1199
Edward Nairne, London, second half 18th cent.
Lane electrometer
Inv. 543
Maker unknown, second half 18th cent.
Magnetic ducks
Inv. 1213
Maker unknown, second half 18th cent.
Orrery
Inv. 581
Maker unknown, Florence, 1775-1776
Portable globe electrical machine
Inv. 516
Maker unknown, late 18th cent.
Portable globe electrical machine
Inv. 444
Edward Nairne, London, ca. 1770
Portable plate electrical machine
Inv. 2686
Maker unknown, ca. 1775
Portable plate electrical machine
Inv. 2688
Maker unknown, English?, ca. 1775
Portable plate electrical machine
Inv. 2687
Maker unknown, English?, ca. 1775
Portable plate electrical machine
Inv. 2689
Maker unknown, English?, ca. 1775
Small cup for inflaming spirits
Inv. 466
Maker unknown, late 18th cent.
Straw electrometer, Volta type
Inv. 1188
Maker unknown, late 18th cent.
Straw electrometer, Volta type
Inv. 1167
Maker unknown, late 18th cent.
Tellurium
Dep. SBAS, Firenze
Charles-François Delamarche [attr.], Paris, ca. 1800
Thunder house
Inv. 1252
Maker unknown, late 18th cent.
Thunder house
Inv. 1253
Maker unknown, late 18th cent.
Thunder house
Inv. 1164
Maker unknown, late 18th cent.