RecordBarometer (detail), made by Angelo Lovi< 1 of 1 > Back in Edinburgh
Barometer (detail), made by Angelo LoviThis photograph shows a detail of the signature on a barometer made by Angelo Lovi in Edinburgh. The signature on the register plate reads: 'A. Lovi / Fecit'. Immigrant Italians had been arriving in Britain in some numbers before the end of the 18th century. The particular trades which they brought with them were glass-blowing and carving and gilding (for picture frames), which extended naturally into looking-glass and barometer manufacture. Not only did they produce capillary tubing for barometers, as in the example here by Angelo Lovi, but they also produced specific gravity beads, used for measuring the alcohol content of liquids in the brewing and distilling trades. Angelo Lovi (c. 1730-1805) was born in Milan, where he lived until he was aged 42. He then emigrated to Rotterdam, arriving in the Essex port of Harwich in May 1772. He appeared in the Edinburgh street directories for 1804 only, where he was listed as a glassblower. However, his widow, Isabella, continued her late husband's business, taking out a patent in 1805 for 'aeronomical beads', a form of hydrostatic measurement, for use in bleaching, ascertaining the purity of foods such as milk, and most importantly, the measurement of alcohol in liquids. Record detailsTo search on related items, click any linked text below.
< 1 of 1 > Back |
|