Sikes Hydrometer
Production date
1802-1907
Country
England
See full details
Object detail
Description
Fitted wooden box holding brass hydrometer and 10 weights of various size.
Classification
SCIENCES Instruments Measuring hydrometer
Maker
Production date
1802-1907
Production place
Measurements
Case: L190 W70 H46 mm
Hydrometer: L170 Dia 43 mm
Weights: various
Hydrometer: L170 Dia 43 mm
Weights: various
Media/Materials description
Brass instrument and weights, wooden case with textile lining.
Signature/Marks
90 \ 7260 \ 90 \ BATE
80 \ 7260 \ 80 \ BATE
70 \ 103 \ 70
60 \ 7260 \ 60 \ BATE
50 \ 7260 \ 50 \ BATE
40 \ 7260 \ 40 BATE
30 \ 7260 \ 30 \ BATE
20 \ 7260 \ 20 \ BATE
10 \ 103 \ 10
7260 \ BATE
SIKES 7260 \ 7260 SIKES IP 51o \ Bate London I EXCISE
No 7260 \ SIKES'S HYDROMETER \ BATE Poultry LONDON \ Maker to the REVENUE of the \ UNITED KINGDOM
80 \ 7260 \ 80 \ BATE
70 \ 103 \ 70
60 \ 7260 \ 60 \ BATE
50 \ 7260 \ 50 \ BATE
40 \ 7260 \ 40 BATE
30 \ 7260 \ 30 \ BATE
20 \ 7260 \ 20 \ BATE
10 \ 103 \ 10
7260 \ BATE
SIKES 7260 \ 7260 SIKES IP 51o \ Bate London I EXCISE
No 7260 \ SIKES'S HYDROMETER \ BATE Poultry LONDON \ Maker to the REVENUE of the \ UNITED KINGDOM
History and use
Bartholomew Sikes invented this style of hydrometer in 1802, in response to a competition held by the Board of Excise in London. Sikes’ hydrometer remained the legal standard instrument for excise purposes (mainly for alcohol testing) until 1907.
This example was manufactured by Robert Bretell Bate (known as ‘Bate of the Poultry’) in London in the early 1800s. Bate originally trained as a haberdasher and later in his career patented spectacle designs. Bate made the first Sikes hydrometers after the competition and supplied the Board of Excise. Each hydrometer was individually numbered; this is number 7260.
Uploaded to the Web 27 May 2011.
This example was manufactured by Robert Bretell Bate (known as ‘Bate of the Poultry’) in London in the early 1800s. Bate originally trained as a haberdasher and later in his career patented spectacle designs. Bate made the first Sikes hydrometers after the competition and supplied the Board of Excise. Each hydrometer was individually numbered; this is number 7260.
Uploaded to the Web 27 May 2011.
Associated person
Registration number
H12782