Tool Collection (#7)

Handkerchief printed with Britannia mourning the portrait of Horatio Nelson
MMM5475561 Handkerchief printed with Britannia mourning the portrait of Horatio Nelson; National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Handkerchief printed with Britannia)

Diptych sundial, for latitude 49 degrees, seen from the dial with open cover, in ivory, c.1640-60 (ivory)
MMM5475377 Diptych sundial, for latitude 49 degrees, seen from the dial with open cover, in ivory, c.1640-60 (ivory); National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Diptych sundial)

Diptych sundial (open), with magnetic compass. Ivory instrument, mid-17th century, by Thomas Ducher (?) (ivory)
MMM5474002 Diptych sundial (open), with magnetic compass. Ivory instrument, mid-17th century, by Thomas Ducher (?) (ivory); National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Diptych sundial (open)

Latitude 42 degree sundial with lid Copper and paper instrument, 18th century (copper and paper)
MMM5473357 Latitude 42 degree sundial with lid Copper and paper instrument, 18th century (copper and paper); National Maritime Museum, London

Open sundial, with magnetic compass and moonrise and sunset table, in Chinese characters, c.1850-1900 (wood)
MMM5473329 Open sundial, with magnetic compass and moonrise and sunset table, in Chinese characters, c.1850-1900 (wood); National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Open sundial)

Tarot game: allegorical representation of Justice holding a sword and a scales, late 19th century
FGL5478146 Tarot game: allegorical representation of Justice holding a sword and a scales, late 19th century; Fototeca Gilardi

Nautical instruments: marine chronometers in their box, by Thomas Earnshaw (1749-1829), 19th century
MMM5477759 Nautical instruments: marine chronometers in their box, by Thomas Earnshaw (1749-1829), 19th century; National Maritime Museum, London

An allegory of optics, representing an eye in the center of a star, 1820 (etching)
MMM5477354 An allegory of optics, representing an eye in the center of a star, 1820 (etching); National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: An allegory of optics)

Ebony and ivory navigational octant, labelled with James Campbell (captain of the ship, 1825-1903)
MMM5476615 Ebony and ivory navigational octant, labelled with James Campbell (captain of the ship, 1825-1903), 19th century (ebony and ivory); National Maritime Museum, London

Initial letter depicting an astronomer observing the sky
5311872 Initial letter depicting an astronomer observing the sky; (add.info.: Initial letter depicting an astronomer observing the sky and making measurements using a quadrant)

Detail of an astrolabe, c.1590 (brass)
MMM5470412 Detail of an astrolabe, c.1590 (brass); National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Detail of an astrolabe: the rest)

Nocturnal Anglais, an instrument for measuring time at night, with lunar date and time scales, 17th century (wood)
MMM5470164 Nocturnal Anglais, an instrument for measuring time at night, with lunar date and time scales, 17th century (wood); National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Nocturnal Anglais)

Royal Navy six-shot Colt revolver, c.1855 (metal and wood gun)
MMM5471826 Royal Navy six-shot Colt revolver, c.1855 (metal and wood gun) by Colt, Samuel (1814-62); National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Colt's six-shot Royal Navy revolver)

Astrolabe from Syria and Egypt, manufactured by Al Sarraj, c.1230-31 (copper astrolabe)
MMM5471320 Astrolabe from Syria and Egypt, manufactured by Al Sarraj, c.1230-31 (copper astrolabe); National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Astrolabe from Syria and Egypt)

Astrology: an astrologer equipped with different instruments (armillary sphere, balance, compass)
FGL5471300 Astrology: an astrologer equipped with different instruments (armillary sphere, balance, compass, pendulum) establishes a horoscope

Story of the life of Moses. Detail of the rope and pulley of the well. Painting by Alessandro di Mariano dei Filipepi
BEN5471136 Story of the life of Moses. Detail of the rope and pulley of the well. Painting by Alessandro di Mariano dei Filipepi known as Sandro Botticelli (1445-1510). Fresco, 1481

Crossing board, an instrument used to easily record the speeds and directions sailed in 12 hours, c.1800 (wood)
MMM5470370 Crossing board, an instrument used to easily record the speeds and directions sailed in 12 hours, c.1800 (wood); National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Crossing board)

Diptych compass dial, for latitude 49 degrees, finely decorated. Object made of ebony and ivory
MMM5470013 Diptych compass dial, for latitude 49 degrees, finely decorated. Object made of ebony and ivory, c.1600-50 (ebony and ivory); National Maritime Museum, London

Astrology. An astrologer receives a client, he holds in his hands the instruments that symbolize his profession
FGL5469984 Astrology. An astrologer receives a client, he holds in his hands the instruments that symbolize his profession: the armillary sphere. 16th century coloured wood engraving; Fototeca Gilardi

Astronomical compendium, for latitude 48 degrees, 17th century (ivory copper and cardboard)
MMM5469983 Astronomical compendium, for latitude 48 degrees, 17th century (ivory copper and cardboard); National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Astronomical compendium)

Sundial with two rings with an equinoxial line, for latitude 39 degrees, 17th century (copper)
MMM5469964 Sundial with two rings with an equinoxial line, for latitude 39 degrees, 17th century (copper); National Maritime Museum, London

Magnetic compass and thermometer, for latitude 51 degrees, in its case. Ivory and copper object
MMM5469963 Magnetic compass and thermometer, for latitude 51 degrees, in its case. Ivory and copper object, 19th century (ivory and copper); National Maritime Museum, London

View of the Birkdale bridge and details of the bridge elements, rolled rope, chain and cabestan
MMM5466355 View of the Birkdale bridge and details of the bridge elements, rolled rope, chain and cabestan by Everett, John (1876-1949); National Maritime Museum, London

Presentation of the procedure for using the suit or scuba diving device (underwater)
MMM5467362 Presentation of the procedure for using the suit or scuba diving device (underwater) (a type of tube in which a person can lie down but maintain freedom of movement of his arms)

Presentation of the procedure for using the suit or scuba diving device (underwater)
MMM5467344 Presentation of the procedure for using the suit or scuba diving device (underwater) (a type of tube in which a person can lie down but maintain freedom of movement of his arms)

On board the Birkdale, the lounge with Captain Walmsley and his second in command, Mr Macwatters
MMM5465054 On board the Birkdale, the lounge with Captain Walmsley and his second in command, Mr Macwatters, this ship transported nitrate to the Chilean coast between 1892 and 1927 by Everett

17th century copper and steel marine compass (copper and steel)
MMM5457760 17th century copper and steel marine compass (copper and steel); National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: 17th century copper and steel marine compass)

View of the Admiralty of Zeeland's shipyard in Vlissingen in 1779. Lithograph (36.3x49.1 cm)
MMM5483708 View of the Admiralty of Zeeland's shipyard in Vlissingen in 1779. Lithograph (36.3x49.1 cm), engraving by Leizel based on a drawing by Georg Balthasar Probst (1732-1801)

A Weyschuit (Dutch sailboat, here without a mast) moored between stakes on which boots are put to dry
MMM5482745 A Weyschuit (Dutch sailboat, here without a mast) moored between stakes on which boots are put to dry, with fish baskets; National Maritime Museum, London

An engraving depicting a wooden wheelbarrow, 19th century
5311369 An engraving depicting a wooden wheelbarrow, 19th century; (add.info.: Date: 1855); Universal History Archive/UIG

Tycho Brahe's equatorial rings, from " Astronomiae Implatiae Mechanica."
NWI4947704 Tycho Brahe's equatorial rings, from " Astronomiae Implatiae Mechanica."; (add.info.: Tycho Brahe's equatorial rings)

Vignette depicting military engineers at work
3359530 Vignette depicting military engineers at work; (add.info.: Vignette depicting military engineers at work. The man on the left is using compasses/dividers to measure a plan of fortifications)

Arab astronomer
3330987 Arab astronomer; (add.info.: Engraving depicting an Arab astronomer, one holding an armillary sphere showing a geocentric universe and the path of the ecliptic)

Military engineers at work, 1850
3330712 Military engineers at work, 1850; (add.info.: Vignette depicting military engineers at work. The man on the left is using compasses/dividers to measure a plan of fortifications)

MANGET, Jean-Jacques (1652 - 1742). Bibliotheca Surgica. 1721. MANGET, Jean-Jacques (1652 - 1742)
CUL4872473 MANGET, Jean-Jacques (1652 - 1742). Bibliotheca Surgica. 1721. MANGET, Jean-Jacques (1652 - 1742). Swiss physician and writer. Orthopedic leg. First edition, published in Geneva

James Young Simpson (1811-1870) trying out anaesthetics on himself, 19th century (wood engraving)
UTD4952430 James Young Simpson (1811-1870) trying out anaesthetics on himself, 19th century (wood engraving); United Archives GmbH

A scientist performing a calculation on an armillary sphere (" S")
GIA5034681 A scientist performing a calculation on an armillary sphere (" S"). Manuscript of the works of Aristotle, 13th century.; © Giancarlo Costa

Teixiera family, 50 Lombardt St. New Bedford, 1911 (b/w photo)
2599301 Teixiera family, 50 Lombardt St. New Bedford, 1911 (b/w photo); (add.info.: Teixiera family, 50 Lombardt St. New Bedford. Mary J. 11 years; Manuel 10 years)

A sewing kit, 1881
3479063 A sewing kit, 1881; (add.info.: Woodcut illustration of a sewing kit, including scissors, needles and small hooking devices. Dated 1881.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Work table, 1891
3479028 Work table, 1891; (add.info.: Illustration advertising a Work Table that contains a range of crafting materials such as cotton, sewing needles, scissors and knitting needles)

Portolan Map of the Mediterranean and connecting seas
3507730 Portolan Map of the Mediterranean and connecting seas; (add.info.: Portolan Map of the Mediterranean and connecting seas)

8703231

No.22 is a view of the Port side of the ship with an effect of sunrise in February 1837
7341721 No.22 is a view of the Port side of the ship with an effect of sunrise in February 1837 and shewing the state of the snow walls at that time, 1837 (watercolour) by Smyth

Astrolabe: detail obverse, c.1552 (bronze)
7339275 Astrolabe: detail obverse, c.1552 (bronze) by Gemini, Thomas (c.1515-62) & Sutton, Henry (c.1624-65); 35.2x0 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

Printing house in China, ca 1820-30 (engraving)
7422865 Printing house in China, ca 1820-30 (engraving); (add.info.: Economy. Printing house in China. Engraving, France, ca 1820-30.); © Archives Charmet

Mozart and his sister playing in front of the Empress Maria Theresia, historic engraving, 1888
UIG5414344 Mozart and his sister playing in front of the Empress Maria Theresia, historic engraving, 1888; UIG

Italian Peasant Playing Dulzaina. After A 16Th Century Work By Cesare Vecellio
UIG5420428 Italian Peasant Playing Dulzaina. After A 16Th Century Work By Cesare Vecellio. From El Mundo Ilustrado, Published Barcelona, 1880 ©UIG/Leemage

Replica of Marconi's wireless telegraph. 1899 (object)
UIG5430125 Replica of Marconi's wireless telegraph. 1899 (object); (add.info.: ©Clive Streeter/Dorling Kindersley/UIG/Leemage, Courtesy of The Science Museum, London); Dorling Kindersley/UIG

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"Tools: Unveiling the Artistry of Craftsmanship Through Time" From shoeing horses in 1844 to coopers meticulously crafting wooden barrels, tools have played an integral role in shaping our world. In Edwin Henry Landseer's masterpiece from 1938, we witness the dedication and skill of these craftsmen. Blacksmiths, with their trusty tools from 1875, forge iron into magnificent creations that withstand the test of time. Meanwhile, miners toil away at the coalface in South Wales, relying on their specialized tools for a hard day's work. In Norfolk a98_13558, we catch a glimpse of a blacksmith expertly wielding his hammer outside his fiery forge. The Welsh women road builders demonstrate their strength and determination as they construct pathways through South Wales using simple yet effective tools. But it is not just practicality that defines these tools; artistry can be found even in unexpected places. A set of glass eyeballs reminds us of the intricate craftsmanship required to create prosthetics that restore sight and confidence. Leon-Maxime Faivre's "Deux meres (Two Mothers)" transports us to 1888 when mothers relied on various tools to care for their children - nurturing love being one such tool essential for raising future generations. Traveling back further in time, we encounter medieval goldsmiths diligently working on exquisite pieces that adorn royalty and nobility alike. Gold Lunulae and Axehead discovered in St Merryn, Cornwall provide evidence of early Bronze Age craftsmanship at its finest. Lastly, Aleksandr Gerasimov's portrayal captures Lenin during the tumultuous period around 1930-1939 when political ideologies were reshaping nations. Here too lies another kind - ideas wielded by influential figures who shape history itself. Through these glimpses into different eras and tradesmen at work with their respective tools, we come to appreciate how these humble objects have shaped our past and continue to shape our present.