Concave rectangular mirror

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This 19th century mirror comes from the University of Edinburgh's demonstration apparatus, and would have been used to show students during lectures the imaging properties of mirrors. At this time, a course in natural philosophy (what we would call physics today) would have been a compulsory component of the general arts curriculum.

The circular mirror is held in a black-painted wooden frame. It produces a distorted image, as it is concave.

Unfortunately, this piece of lecturing equipment has no provenance beyond coming form the university classroom. However, it is more than likely that it was supplied locally.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-000-909-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1999.354
• Date: 19th century
  
• Material: mirror: glass / frame wood, metal. Inscription: 'C10' painted on back in white paint
  Distortion glass / mirror
  
• Dimensions: 235 mm H x 190 mm L x 45 mm W
  
• What: Distortion glass / mirror
  
• Subject: 22. Physics and physical sciences
  
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Rectangular mirror set in black painted wooden frame, mirror curves away from viewer, made before 1833
  
• References:
• Translations:
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