Tool
Holtzapffel & Co.
Category
Tools
Date
Unknown
Materials
Steel and iron
Measurements
47 mm (Length); 11 mm (Diameter)
Collection
Tyntesfield, North Somerset
NT 39620.6.2
Summary
One of a collection of grinding/thirteen polishing heads or spindles. Soft iron conical top on a steel spindle with a semi-cylindrical projection at the end to ensure rotation when slid into the corresponding notch in the mandrel of the miniature lathe head (NT39620.5) and used in conjunction with lathe (NT39554). Used to polish bead drills having been charged with a little crocus powder (jeweller's rouge) and oil.
Provenance
Purchased from John Edwards in 2017, and brought back to Tyntesfield thanks to a generous anonymous donation. Antony Gibbs (1841-1907) purchased this lathe, grinding machine and the accompanying suite of accessories from Holtzapffel & Co in 1872. It was sold originally in 1852 to Count Dunin for £137.16.0. It was later returned to Holtzapffel & CO., refurbished and sold to Sir A Sterling in 1861. It was again returned to Holtzapffel, completely refurbished and resold in 1872 to Antony Gibbs Esq of Tyntesfield, Bristol for the sum of £220. On Antony’s death the lathe passed to his son Antony Hubert Gibbs of Clyst St George. In 1953 it was sold at an auction of the Gibbs estate and subsequently ended up in Scotland where it languished for the next 60 years, until it was acquired by John Edwards, an ornamental turner, who cleaned and overhauled it.
Makers and roles
Holtzapffel & Co., manufacturer