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Preview image of work. mahogany, eastern white pine, brass, glass,  Air Pump 15508

17.2007

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Air Pump

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Artists

Reverend John Prince (1751 - 1836); Maker Unidentified

Title

Air Pump

Creation Date

ca. 1783

Century

late 18th century

Object Type

furniture

Creation Place

North America, United States

Medium and Support

mahogany, eastern white pine, brass, glass

Credit Line

Bowdoin College Museum of Art, Brunswick, Maine, College Transfer

Copyright

This artwork may be under copyright. For further information, please consult the Museum’s Copyright Terms and Conditions.

Accession Number

17.2007

During the Enlightenment, scientific achievement was one avenue by which Americans kept apace internationally. Wealthy amateur scientists commissioned costly instruments, such as this air pump, in order to conduct their own experiments and gain favorable notice of learned British and European societies. Used to demonstrate the properties of pneumatics or vacuum, this air pump arrived at Bowdoin in 1803. One of America’s finest instrument makers, John Prince advanced air pump design with this instrument. As founding president of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1780, James Bowdoin II included Prince’s research of his air pump among the Academy’s first published papers in 1785. Also noteworthy is the pump’s mahogany case with columns, frieze, and pediment creating the conceit of a temple of learning. A costly status symbol, the mahogany was extracted in the British West Indies, Honduras, Jamaica, and Cuba by “white cutters” who supervised indentured and enslaved Indigenous and African workers.

Additional Media

Additional Image 10.2006front.jpg
10.2006front.jpg
Additional Image 17.2007.detail.jpg
17.2007.detail.jpg
Additional Image 17.2007.side.jpg
17.2007.side.jpg
Additional Image obverse, top half
obverse, top half
Additional Image top half without case
top half without case
Additional Image inner workings
inner workings
Additional Image internal box
internal box
Additional Image reverse, bottom half, case removed
reverse, bottom half, case removed


Keywords: bust   man   John Locke   scroll (motif)   engaged column   architecture in art   carving