POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Reproduction of 17th century glass thermometer

Object No. 87/192R

Based on Archimedes' physical law of buoyancy, Florentine Thermometer represents a significant milestone in the development of thermometry. The design for this alcohol-filled spiral thermometer was first published by the Accademia del Cimento in 1666-7 in Florence, Italy, in a book 'Saggi di naturali esperienze fatte nell'Accademia del cimento sotto la protezione del serenissimo principe Leopoldo di Toscana e descritte dal segretario di essa accademia'. Discussing and illustrating a range of scientific instruments, this was the first and the only book published by Accademia del Cimento (1657 - 1667), the first scientific society set up by some of the followers of Galileo in Florence under the patronage of the Medici family. Among its most notable members of the Academy was an Italian physicist and mathematician, Evangelista Torricelli, best known for his invention of the barometer. [1] Less fragile than longer models, the calibration marks on its spiral stem, which indicated the degrees of one of the thermometric scales used by the Accademia, were in the form delicate glass balls fused at specific intervals, allowing for accurate temperature measurement. This reproduction thermometer with enamel buttons was crafted with great precision in hand-blown glass by glass master Olinto Saccardi who had glassworks in the centre of Florence in the arly 1960s and whose clients included the Galileo Institute. Eva Czernis-Ryl, Curator 2023 , [1] https://library.si.edu/digital-library/book/saggidinaturali00acca accessed 14 February 2023 Ref. Accademia del cimento (Florence, Italy). (1666). Saggi di naturali esperienze fatte nell'Accademia del cimento sotto la protezione del serenissimo principe Leopoldo di Toscana e descritte dal segretario di essa accademia. Per Giuseppe Cocchini all'Insegna della stella. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.5479/sil.138209.39088002829430

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Summary

Object Statement

'Florentine Thermometer' (reproduction), glass, enamel, alcohol, design first published in 1666, made by Olinto Saccardi, Florence, Italy, 1959-60

Physical Description

Standing blown glass thermometer (reproduction) containing alcohol, spiral form.

DIMENSIONS

Height

310 mm

Width

100 mm

Depth

120 mm

PRODUCTION

Notes

Design based on image published in 'Saggi di naturali esperienze fatte nell'Accademia del cimento sotto la protezione del serenissimo principe Leopoldo di Toscana e descritte dal segretario di essa accademia (Florence 1691). This is the first book produced by Accademia del cimento, the very first organization designed for group efforts at scientific investigation. The academy was only in existence for ten years (1657-1667) in Florence. The group included such notable figures as Viviani, Borelli, Steno, Redi, and Cassini. This work discusses and illustrates several scientific instruments such as the Florentine thermometer, an improved barometer, and experiments on air pressure, speed of sound, radiant heat, phosphorescence, compressibility of water, and the discovery of the plane of oscillation of a pendulum. https://www.agefotostock.com/age/en/details-photo/early-thermometers-1691-various-kinds-of-17th-century-thermometers-and-a-rain-gauge-right-from-saggi-di-naturali-esperienze-fatte-nell-accademia-del/HEZ-1157646 accessed 14 February 2023

HISTORY

Notes

Information provided to curator by Mr Saccardi Antonio, Olinto Saccardi's grandson, in March 2023: 'My grandfather, Olinto Saccardi, had glassworks in the center of Florence, it was was one of the top two in Italy. It was located in via de'Pepi at number 68, in the center of Florence. He worked for prestigious clients, including the Galileo Institute'. Between 1959 and 1960 he created an object like the one you are exhibiting for a well-known museum whose name I don't remember (perhaps for the National Gallery in London). It was a job that required a lot of time and many attempts due to the long glass coil; after he got the commission he was so pleased with it that he made a copy for himself and I own it.'

SOURCE

Credit Line

Purchased 1987

Acquisition Date

26 February 1987

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