Loans Catalogue

From 2023 to 2027, we are working on two major projects to improve access, display and storage for our collections.

As a result, we are making some changes to our outgoing-loans request process during this period.

Loan requests submitted by 31 October 2023

We welcome all loans requests in the usual way — take a look at our Loans Policy to find out more.

Loans-out programme: 1 November 2023 onwards

While we are preparing for our refurbishment project, we will continue to make selected parts of our collection available to institutions for research and display.

If you are making a loans request on or after 1 November 2023, take a look at our Loans-out Catalogue to review the objects available, then check our Loans-out document and Loans Policy for instructions on how to apply.

Loans-out from our collections, 2023-2027.pdf

Loans policy, including how to apply for object loans

Loans-out Catalogue (from 1 November 2023)

Anaesthetics

INV NO.: 10374

Macintosh Laryngoscope

Consisting of a curved blade with a cavity for a light bulb and a reinforced tip. It includes a detachable cylindrical handle, decorated with textured and smooth surfaces.

Astrolabes

INV NO.: 33474

Astrolabe, by Muhammad Salih Tatawi, Indo-Persian, Thatta, 1666/7

Mater; rete; 6 plates; alidade; horse; pin.

INV NO.: 37148

Astrolabe with Lunar Mansions, by Abd al-Karim, Jazira (Mesopotamia)?, 1227/8

RESERVED: September-December 2024

Back includes zodiacal representations and mansions of the moon.

INV NO.: 42223

Astrolabe, by Thomas Gemini for Queen Elizabeth I, London, 1559

The mater has a quadratum nauticum and there is a Gemma-type universal projection inscribed on the back.

INV NO.: 43559

Astrolabe, Ottoman, 1678

A small Ottoman astrolabe dated 1089 A.H (1678/9 CE) with plates inscribed for the cities of Diyarbakır, Erzerum, Edirne, Mosul, Trebizond, the Kaba in Mecca, and, probably, Istanbul.

INV NO.: 43704

Astrolabe, by Muhammad Muqim, Lahore, 1643/4

This astrolabe dates from 1643/4 and was made by Muhammad Muqim in a particularly active workshop in Lahore (in modern-day Pakistan).

INV NO.: 48213

Astrolabe with Geared Calendar, by Muhammad b. Abi Bakr, Isfahan, 1221/2

RESERVED: September-December 2024

Astrolabe with rete incorporating sights, 2 latitude plates, mater with pierced throne.

INV NO.: 49687

Spherical Astrolabe, by Musa, Eastern Islamic, 1480/81

The world's only surviving complete spherical astrolabe. The inscriptions on the rete are engraved, those on the sphere are damascened.

INV NO.: 50257

Astrolabe, by Giovanni Domenico Fecioli, Trento or Bologna, 1558

This instrument is signed by a maker from Trento in Italy and bears the name of the commissioner, Caesar Luchini from Bologna.

INV NO.: 50853

Astrolabe with Universal Lamina, by `Ali ibn Ibrahim al-Harrar, Taza, Morocco, 1327/8

Rete for 60 stars, superimposed on a disk marked with a universal projection.

INV NO.: 52473

Astrolabe, by Muhammad ibn Sa`id as-Sabban, Guadalajara, 1081/2

The mater is engraved with a circular astrological table. One of the plates is marked with the twelve astrological houses. Some of the plates have lines for Muslim prayers. On the back of the mater, the zodiac/calendar scale includes the twenty-eight astrological mansions of the moon.

INV NO.: 53556

Astrolabe, North African, 14th Century?

The rete has silvery rivets at the base of the star-pointers (one is missing) and six knobs for turning. One of the plates is marked as a tablet of horizons on one side.

INV NO.: 54673

Astrolabe Quadrant, Profatius-Type, by 'Abdallah Ahmad b. 'Ali al-Andalusi, Morocco?, 1804

Profatius astrolabe-quadrant with sinecal quadrant on reverse.

INV NO.: 33411

Astrolabe, Indo-Persian, 17th Century

The kursi is unpierced, unornamented and unusually small for an Indo-Persian astrolabe.

INV NO.: 52528

Astrolabe, Early 16th Century?

The design of the rete includes a trefoil pattern within the ecliptic circle; the star-pointers are of the 'wavy flame' type.

Astronomy

INV NO.: 49884

Planetarium Orrery, by Giovanni Savoj, Florence, 1779

This instrument shows the planets as far as Saturn, and demonstrates by means of wheel-work the motions of the Earth and Moon relative to each other and to the Sun.

INV NO.: 51703

Bhugola or Earth-Ball, by Ksema Karna, Indian, 1571

The 'Bhugola' or 'Earth-Ball' is a thin brass box, made in the 16th century, engraved with a representation of the earth as known in Hindu cosmology.

INV NO.: 52020

Quadrans Vetus Horary Quadrant, French?, c. 1300

RESERVED: September-December 2024

This instrument is an example of the very rare quadrans vetus, or old quadrant.

INV NO.: 40716

Celestial Globe, Indo-Persian

The globe and its stand closely resemble the globe and stand Inv no.: 46262, and are perhaps by the same maker.

INV NO.: 46262

Celestial Globe, Indo-Persian?, Modern?

The globe and its stand closely resemble the globe and stand Inv no.: 40716, and are perhaps by the same maker.

INV NO.: 44790

Celestial Globe, by Ja'far ibn 'Umar ibn Dawlatshah al-Kirmani, Persian, 1362/3

RESERVED: September-December 2024

Brass globe of two hemispheres joined at the equator (soldering visible), with constellations and silver-dotted stars.

Clocks & timepieces

INV NO.: 42486

Pillar Clock, Japan, 19th Century

The clock mechanism behind a removable cover. Beneath this is a column with Japanese numerals along which a copper alloy marker moves.

INV NO.: 44156

Two-day Marine Chronometer, by Dobbie McInnes Ltd, Glasgow, c.1900

A cubic copper alloy-bound walnut box with inset handles and ivory name plates.

Divination

INV NO.: 46378

Magical Sigil, Found in Devil's Dyke, English, 16th Century

Matrix of an English magic sigil or device, possibly dating from the 16th Century.

INV NO.: 51476

Crystal Ball, 17th Century?

Crystal ball mounted in a silver band engraved with signs of the zodiac and carrying a chain (19th rather than 17th century?).

Electricity

INV NO.: 86890

Jointed Discharger Electrostatic Instrument

An electrostatic discharge tool comprising of two rotating copper alloy arms and a glass handle.

Mathematical instruments

Inv no.: 23312

Architect's Protractor, Attributed to George Adams, London, 1765

This silver protractor with shagreen case suggests the shared interests of George III and his wife Charlotte.

Inv no.: 23689

Disc Protractor, by John Marke, London, c. 1670

This protractor is designed for use in drawing polygons.

Inv no.: 46929

Compass, Turkish?, c. 1800?

Probably this compass once formed part of a sundial; it is possible that it was made in Europe for the Eastern Market.

Inv no.: 48219

Astronomical Compendium, by Ulrich Schniep, Munich, 1566

Includes a nocturnal, a lunar volvelle, a universal equinoctial sundial, a compass and wind rose, and a table of latitudes.

Measurement and calculation

Inv no.: 19453

Horary Disc and Quadrant, North African, 1782/3

Maghribi horary disc and quadrant, made for the latitude of Ferz, 1197 AH [1782/3 CE].

Inv no.: 31785

Quadrant, by J. Rowley, English, c. 1700

English ivory and brass quadrant (Gunter type) on a wooden stand.

Inv no.: 35285

Sinecal Quadrant, Persian, 1781/2

Sinecal quadrant on obverse; table with replacement alidade on reverse.

Inv no.: 39651

I. K. Brunel's Surveying Sextant, by Troughton & Simms, London, c. 1830

This sextant belonged to Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-1859), the civil engineer and railway pioneer.

Inv no.: 42688

I. K. Brunel's Box Sextant, by Troughton & Simms?, English, c. 1830

Unsigned, but probably specially made for Brunel by Troughton & Simms of London, because this firm was the most skilled in circle dividing.

Inv no.: 43707

Drainage Level, by Thomas Wright, London, 1724

English Surveyor's level.

Inv no.: 45309

Horary Quadrant, English, 17th Century

Horary quadrant rotating universal projection (Gemma-type) with index arm at origin of latitude scale.

Inv no.: 55213

Architectonic Sector (Revesi Bruti Pattern), Attributed to Thomas Heath, London, c. 1740

Possibly the only surviving example of this device.

Inv no.: 19870

Daniell's Register Pyrometer, by J. Newman, London, c. 1830-1850

A copper alloy pyrometer used for measuring temperature at a distance.

Inv no.: 25362

Architectonic Sector (Carwitham Pattern), by Thomas Heath, London, c. 1720-30

Design to the pattern of Thomas Carwitham, as published by Thomas Heath in 1723.

Microscopy

Inv no.: 41858

Leeuwenhoek Replica Microscope in Box, by Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., Rochester N.Y., 1933

A replica of a late 17th century van Leeuwenhoek simple microscope.

Navigation

Inv no.: 54253

Mariner's Astrolabe, Spanish, c. 1600

A heavy, solid copper alloy mariner’s astrolabe with a rule/alidade with two sights and pin (later replacements).

Inv no.: 81555

Pillar-Mounted Astronomical Quadrant, by John Bird, London, c. 1760

Astronomical quadrant made by John Bird (1710-1776). A similar instrument was used by Captain Cook.

Inv no.: 20674

Facsimile of 17th-Century French Cross-Staff, English, 1926

Wooden cross-staff with three vanes.

Inv no.: 37055

Backstaff, English, 18th Century

A backstaff with a dark wooden body and two light wooden arcs. It has a foresight vane and two moveable sights.

Inv no.: 38636

Sextant with Case and Accessories, by Gilbert, Wright & Hooke, London, 1794-1801

Navigator's lattice-frame in German silver (?) with copper alloy fittings.

Photography

Inv no.: 21126

Archaeological Folding Quarter-Plate Camera and Kit owned by T. E. Lawrence, by J. H. Dallmeyer, London, 1910

Folding quarter-plate camera and kit built specifically for T. E. Lawrence ('Lawrence of Arabia').

Inv no.: 61498

Wet Collodion Outfit of Photographic Chemicals owned by Charles Dodgson alias Lewis Carroll, Hockin & Co., London, c. 1860

This photographic outfit belonged to the Reverend C. L. Dodgson, alias 'Lewis Carroll'.

Inv no.: 75945

Camera Obscura, English, c. 1710

Camera obscura, English, unsigned and undated, c.1710.

Inv no.: 92030

Half-Plate Folding Field Camera and Kit, by R. & J. Beck, London, c.1890

A portable, dry plate bellows camera for half plates (160 mm x 120 mm) and use on a tripod.

Sundials, nocturnals and Qibla indicators

Inv no.: 43645

Qibla Indicator and Horizontal Pin-Gnomon Dial, Persian?, 19th Century

The upper surface is divided into four quarters by a meridional and an East-West line. There is a compass and a horizontal pin-gnomon sundial (gnomon missing) for Babylonian hours. Above the East-West line are marked the positions of various towns in relation to Mecca.

Inv no.: 46855

Equinoctial Dial with Nocturnal, Spanish?, 15th Century

Circular brass box containing a compass, A nocturnal is incorporated into the lid, with one arm acting as a catch.

Inv no.: 48472

Horizontal Pin-Gnomon Sundial and Qibla Indicator, Persian, 18th Century?

Includes a horizontal pin-gnomon dial, engraved with hour-lines for Babylonian hours and with circles to show the declination of the sun. In the lower section is a circle, divided into degrees, and showing the direction of various places, including the azimuth of the Qibla.

Inv no.: 51358

Vertical Disc Dial, Roman, c. 250 A.D. ?

This tiny sundial is one of just a handful of ancient portable dials to survive. Though only 6cm across, it mirrors the whole Roman world.

Inv no.: 53791

Qibla Indicator, Persian, 18th Century?

The ornamentally cut plate over the compass is engraved with the names of the four cardinal points and with a scale of degrees.

INV NO.: 54054

Polyhedral Dial, by Nicolaus Kratzer?, English, 1518-30

RESERVED from April 2024

Polyhedral dial in gilt brass, 100mm in height, attributed to Nicolaus Kratzer.

Inv no.: 78766

Diptych Dial, by a Tucher Workshop, Nuremberg, c. 1600

This dial is unusually wide, and finely decorated with fruits and flowers.

Inv no.: 37947

Noonday Cannon and Horizontal Dial, by J. L. Morzières, Paris, 19th Century

Inv no.: 43695

Qibla Indicator, 18th or 19th Century

An ornately decorated Qibla indicator used for finding the direction of Mecca for prayer.

Inv no.: 75106

Polyhedral Sundial, by Wild, Heerbrugg?, 1963

A Polyhedral Sundial with nine faces and two gnomon. The sundial is metal and sits on a wooden block.

Inv no.: 88626

Equinoctial Dial, by Andreas Vogler, Augsburg, 18th Century

Octagonal, brass.

Surveying

Inv no.: 34151

Simple Theodolite and Surveyor's Cross, by Lud. Sem., Italian, 1612

The plate is divided according to the eight classical winds, each of which is named in Italian; the wind divisions are further divided into degrees.

Inv no.: 35252

Simple Theodolite, by Thomas Wright, English, Early 18th Century

There is a Vernier scale, indicating minutes, at each end of the sighting-arm. The two sight-vanes are detachable so that the instrument may be packed away in a flat box.

Inv no.: 40612

Surveyor's Y-Level, by Adams, London, Late 18th Century

The front screw of the telescope support serves for coarse adjustments, and the back screw for fine adjustments.

Inv no.: 49631

Surveyor's Folding Rule, by Humfrey Cole, London, 1575

This is one of four surviving instruments of similar design by the leading English instrument maker of the 16th century.

Inv no.: 48062

Plain Altazimuth Theodolite, by Thomas Jones, London, 1816-1850

Horizontal circle with silver verniers, drive screw, two bubble levels and compass box; rack-and-pinion vertical semicircle on A-supports with telescope and bubble level in Y-bearings.

Inv no.: 48659

Geometrical Quadrant, by Christoph Schissler, Augsburg, 1579

This weighty and elaborately decorated instrument includes a remarkable series of reliefs showing surveyors at work with a variety of mathematical instruments. As well as Western European figures, many of the surveyors wear Ottoman costume.

Inv no.: 64523

Simple Theodolite, by Addison Smith, London, Later 18th Century

Horizontal circle with Vernier alidade and central compass; in fitted case, with two sets of sights and a ball-and-socket joint.

Loans Catalogue

Loan requests submitted by 31 October 2023

Loans-out programme: 1 November 2023 onwards

Loans-out Catalogue (from 1 November 2023)

Macintosh Laryngoscope

Astrolabe, by Muhammad Salih Tatawi, Indo-Persian, Thatta, 1666/7

Astrolabe with Lunar Mansions, by Abd al-Karim, Jazira (Mesopotamia)?, 1227/8

Astrolabe, by Thomas Gemini for Queen Elizabeth I, London, 1559

Astrolabe, Ottoman, 1678

Astrolabe, by Muhammad Muqim, Lahore, 1643/4

Astrolabe with Geared Calendar, by Muhammad b. Abi Bakr, Isfahan, 1221/2

Spherical Astrolabe, by Musa, Eastern Islamic, 1480/81

Astrolabe, by Giovanni Domenico Fecioli, Trento or Bologna, 1558

Astrolabe with Universal Lamina, by `Ali ibn Ibrahim al-Harrar, Taza, Morocco, 1327/8

Astrolabe, by Muhammad ibn Sa`id as-Sabban, Guadalajara, 1081/2

Astrolabe, North African, 14th Century?

Astrolabe Quadrant, Profatius-Type, by 'Abdallah Ahmad b. 'Ali al-Andalusi, Morocco?, 1804

Astrolabe, Indo-Persian, 17th Century

Astrolabe, Early 16th Century?

Planetarium Orrery, by Giovanni Savoj, Florence, 1779

Bhugola or Earth-Ball, by Ksema Karna, Indian, 1571

Quadrans Vetus Horary Quadrant, French?, c. 1300

Celestial Globe, Indo-Persian

Celestial Globe, Indo-Persian?, Modern?

Celestial Globe, by Ja'far ibn 'Umar ibn Dawlatshah al-Kirmani, Persian, 1362/3

Pillar Clock, Japan, 19th Century

Two-day Marine Chronometer, by Dobbie McInnes Ltd, Glasgow, c.1900

Magical Sigil, Found in Devil's Dyke, English, 16th Century

Crystal Ball, 17th Century?

Jointed Discharger Electrostatic Instrument

Architect's Protractor, Attributed to George Adams, London, 1765

Disc Protractor, by John Marke, London, c. 1670

Compass, Turkish?, c. 1800?

Astronomical Compendium, by Ulrich Schniep, Munich, 1566

Horary Disc and Quadrant, North African, 1782/3

Quadrant, by J. Rowley, English, c. 1700

Sinecal Quadrant, Persian, 1781/2

I. K. Brunel's Surveying Sextant, by Troughton & Simms, London, c. 1830

I. K. Brunel's Box Sextant, by Troughton & Simms?, English, c. 1830

Drainage Level, by Thomas Wright, London, 1724

Horary Quadrant, English, 17th Century

Architectonic Sector (Revesi Bruti Pattern), Attributed to Thomas Heath, London, c. 1740

Daniell's Register Pyrometer, by J. Newman, London, c. 1830-1850

Architectonic Sector (Carwitham Pattern), by Thomas Heath, London, c. 1720-30

Leeuwenhoek Replica Microscope in Box, by Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., Rochester N.Y., 1933

Mariner's Astrolabe, Spanish, c. 1600

Pillar-Mounted Astronomical Quadrant, by John Bird, London, c. 1760

Facsimile of 17th-Century French Cross-Staff, English, 1926

Backstaff, English, 18th Century

Sextant with Case and Accessories, by Gilbert, Wright & Hooke, London, 1794-1801

Archaeological Folding Quarter-Plate Camera and Kit owned by T. E. Lawrence, by J. H. Dallmeyer, London, 1910

Wet Collodion Outfit of Photographic Chemicals owned by Charles Dodgson alias Lewis Carroll, Hockin & Co., London, c. 1860

Camera Obscura, English, c. 1710

Half-Plate Folding Field Camera and Kit, by R. & J. Beck, London, c.1890

Qibla Indicator and Horizontal Pin-Gnomon Dial, Persian?, 19th Century

Equinoctial Dial with Nocturnal, Spanish?, 15th Century

Horizontal Pin-Gnomon Sundial and Qibla Indicator, Persian, 18th Century?

Vertical Disc Dial, Roman, c. 250 A.D. ?

Qibla Indicator, Persian, 18th Century?

Polyhedral Dial, by Nicolaus Kratzer?, English, 1518-30

Diptych Dial, by a Tucher Workshop, Nuremberg, c. 1600

Noonday Cannon and Horizontal Dial, by J. L. Morzières, Paris, 19th Century

Qibla Indicator, 18th or 19th Century

Polyhedral Sundial, by Wild, Heerbrugg?, 1963

Equinoctial Dial, by Andreas Vogler, Augsburg, 18th Century

Simple Theodolite and Surveyor's Cross, by Lud. Sem., Italian, 1612

Simple Theodolite, by Thomas Wright, English, Early 18th Century

Surveyor's Y-Level, by Adams, London, Late 18th Century

Surveyor's Folding Rule, by Humfrey Cole, London, 1575

Plain Altazimuth Theodolite, by Thomas Jones, London, 1816-1850

Geometrical Quadrant, by Christoph Schissler, Augsburg, 1579

Simple Theodolite, by Addison Smith, London, Later 18th Century

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