Object Record
Images
Additional Images [7]
Metadata
Object ID # |
1968.046.005abcdefghijklm |
Object Name |
Hydrometer |
Title |
Sikes Hydrometer (19th-c) |
Lexicon category |
5: T&E For Science & Technology |
Date |
19th-century |
Artist |
Loftus (as well as Adie) |
Made |
Loftus |
Place of Origin |
England, United Kingdom |
Description |
An English-made SIKES hydrometer, with its storage case, a 19th-century set. The case (A) is hinged and rectangular. Hydrometer cases usually were made of finished mahogany wood. This one has a brown finish, and a yellow margin line (rectangular). There is an inlaid ivory maker's identification piece on the lid, identifying it as a Sikes Hydrometer, made at 6 Beaufoy Terrace, London. The interior of the case has a blue plush-lined area for the pieces. Short ivory or oxbone pegs hold the weights. The lid lining is a shiny pinkish-purple fabric (likely silk). Two pivoting brass catches hold the case closed, and there are two hinges. The brass float (B) impressed on side of stem is 22757 SIKES 51 degrees and "P". The other side has LOFTUS London and "P". The serial number is repeated near the weight of the float. The stem is marked in main increments, ranging from 0 to 10, on two sides. The set still has its brass weights. The cylindrical one is called a calibration cap weight. The others are shaft weights. The shaft weights have the serial number 22757 impressed on one side, while the other has the weight stamped plus a small maker's mark that looks like TM in an oval. The thermometer of the set has a rectangular ivory back to it, marked with ADIE LIVERPOOL. It is calibrated in Fahrenheit degrees 30-100 (actually could measure 25 to 105 degrees). The glass mercury thermometer is mounted, has a curved, slitted guard over the mercury bulb. |
Makers mark |
Inlaid on lid: "SIKESS (sic) HYDROMETER / LOFTUS / 6 BEAUFOY TERRACE / LONDON" Weights stamped with a TM in an oval? Thermometer marked "ADIE LIVERPOOL" |
Provenance |
The set was made by Loftus in London and Liverpool, England. Sikes Hydrometers were manufactured by various makers, and over a long period of time. On the internet, the cataloguer has seen another address for this maker besides the one mentioned in Description: 320 Oxford Street, London. The appearance of the case suggests a 19th-century date. Another researcher mentioned that a different maker had a near monopoly on hydrometers in England prior to the 1840s, so this one is likely 1840s or 1850s?? It likely belonged to Henry Rixon (b. 1837- d. 1920), or his father-in-law, Adam Ainslie, who formerly owned the Leith Distillery. Formerly of Leith, Grey County, the Rixon and Ainslie family later resided at Owen Sound. Subsequently owned by Eleanor Rixon. |
Collection |
Brewery Equipment Collection |
Material |
Wood/Brass/Silk/Ivory?/Finish/Dye/Glass/Mercury |
Found |
Owen Sound, Grey County |
People |
Rixon, Henry Ainslie, Adam Rixon, Eleanor |
Subjects |
Distilling industries Whiskey Beer |
Search Terms |
Leith (Village of) Sydenham Township |
Function |
May have been used at the Leith distillery or for home brewing. |