A group of instruments for practical mathematics
The Orrery Collection is interesting for the way it merges optical and mathematical instruments, and this group illustrates its mathematical dimension. The most unusual is the set of tokens [2] for displaying the disposition of soldiers. There are five full-length and four half-length plates, with the shorter pieces marked 'Grenadiers' and the longer each representing a 'Division'. The three wooden spheres [4] are for teaching or illustrating spherical trigonometry.
Other narratives:
- Inventory no. 23348 - Former Display Label
- Orrery Collection: 1731 Inventory
- Orrery Collection in print
- Accession Record : Extract from Annual Report for 1925
- Former Display Label - The Orrery Collection of Scientific Instruments
- Former Display Label - The Principal Makers of Instruments in the Orrery Collection
Related Objects:
- Inventory No. 23348, "Globe, English?, Early 18th Century" [1925-43]
- Inventory No. 50368, "Set of Military Tokens for Demonstrating Battalion Firing, English, c. 1700" [1925-43]
- Inventory No. 74169, "Plotting Scale, 5-inch, by S. Horseman, English, Early 18th Century" [1925-43], Horseman, S.
- Inventory No. 24303, "Trigonometrical Demonstration Spheres, English?, c. 1700" [1925-43]
- Inventory No. 17611, "Parallel Ruler, English?, c. 1700" [1925-43]
- Inventory No. 16400, "Plotting Scale, English, c. 1700" [1925-43]