19,505  PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY • 35 ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAYNEW ARRIVALS
GIFTS
35 ITEMS ADDED TODAY
Sort Order
Items Per Page
Browse Categories
Sort order
Relevant Links
Items per page
ID #SA874179
FOR SALE
£395
Email Phone Buy
Save
Late Victorian Geissler Tube Cross Vacuum Scale
For sale by Jason Clarke Antiques
for sale €462     $502
£395
Jason Clarke Antiques

Jason Clarke Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2015
Browse dealers 78 items
↓ Relevant Links
Id #SA874179
PDF SHARE
SAVE

Late Victorian Geissler Tube Cross Vacuum Scale

1900 - 1920
Description

For sale, a Late Victorian Geissler Tube Cross Vacuum Scale

This uncommon set is comprised of an ebonised wood base and upstand. The former has a metal stand which provides a base for holding six Geissler tubes which are in turn fastened at the top by brass electrical connection points secures to the upstand. Each Geissler tube has an attached label numbering successively from 1 to 6 and the base and the side of the upstand are also fitted with a connection point.

The cross-vacuum scale demonstration is to show the variations of electric glow discharge when voltage is applied to a set of glass (Geissler) tubes which are gas filled and all have varying levels of vacuum pressure within them. The glow or plasma is created by applying voltage and the requisite pressure within each will denote how strongly or brightly the tube glows. Different gases will also denote which colour glow is achieved.

This example is unnamed although it does look as though some type of label was once applied to the back edge of the base, however, numerous companies such as Max Kohl of Germany are known to have produced them in latter stages of the Nineteenth Century and early Twentieth Century.

Circa 1900

Physical Dimensions
Height
29cm (11.42")
Width
35cm (13.78")
Depth
11cm (4.33")
Declaration

Jason Clarke Antiques has dated this Victorian Geissler Tube Apparatus to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA874179
Description
For sale, a Late Victorian Geissler Tube Cross Vacuum Scale

This uncommon set is comprised of an ebonised wood base and upstand.

“
The former has a metal stand which provides a base for holding six Geissler tubes which are in turn fastened at the top by brass electrical connection points secures to the upstand.
Jason Clarke Antiques

Each Geissler tube has an attached label numbering successively from 1 to 6 and the base and the side of the upstand are also fitted with a connection point.

fig 1. A late Victorian scientific apparatus featuring six glass Geissler tubes with brass caps mounted vertically on a black wooden display stand.
fig 1. Late Victorian Geissler Tube Cross Vacuum Scale

The cross-vacuum scale demonstration is to show the variations of electric glow discharge when voltage is applied to a set of glass (Geissler) tubes which are gas filled and all have varying levels of vacuum pressure within them. The glow or plasma is created by applying voltage and the requisite pressure within each will denote how strongly or brightly the tube glows. Different gases will also denote which colour glow is achieved.

fig 2. A late Victorian scientific apparatus featuring six glass Geissler tubes with brass caps mounted vertically on a black wooden display stand.
fig 2. Late Victorian Geissler Tube Cross Vacuum Scale

This example is unnamed although it does look as though some type of label was once applied to the back edge of the base, however, numerous companies such as Max Kohl of Germany are known to have produced them in latter stages of the Nineteenth Century and early Twentieth Century.

Circa 1900

Height
29cm (11.42")
Width
35cm (13.78")
Depth
11cm (4.33")
Date of Manufacture

Jason Clarke Antiques has dated this Victorian Geissler Tube Apparatus to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA874179
Jason Clarke Antiques
Jason Clarke Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2015
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Jason Clarke Antiques Profile Page

PDF SHARE
SAVE
A late Victorian scientific apparatus featuring six glass Geissler tubes with brass caps mounted vertically on a black wooden display stand.
1 / 9
Archive I A late Victorian scientific apparatus featuring six glass Geissler tubes with brass caps mounted vertically on a black wooden display stand.

Late Victorian Geissler Tube Cross Vacuum Scale

Archive II A late Victorian scientific apparatus featuring six glass Geissler tubes with brass caps mounted vertically on a black wooden display stand. View II
Archive III A late Victorian scientific apparatus featuring six glass Geissler tubes with brass caps mounted vertically on a black wooden display stand. View III
Archive IV A late Victorian scientific apparatus featuring six glass Geissler tubes with brass caps mounted vertically on a black wooden display stand. View IV
Archive V A late Victorian scientific apparatus featuring six glass Geissler tubes with brass caps mounted vertically on a black wooden display stand. View V
Archive VI A late Victorian scientific apparatus featuring six glass Geissler tubes with brass caps mounted vertically on a black wooden display stand. View VI
Archive VII A late Victorian scientific apparatus featuring six glass Geissler tubes with brass caps mounted vertically on a black wooden display stand. View VII
Archive VIII A late Victorian scientific apparatus featuring six glass Geissler tubes with brass caps mounted vertically on a black wooden display stand. View VIII
Archive IX A late Victorian scientific apparatus featuring six glass Geissler tubes with brass caps mounted vertically on a black wooden display stand. View IX
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 07815 046645
Location
Newbury
Berkshire
United Kingdom
Verified Since Jul 2015
Items For Sale 78
Items Sold 609
Jason Clarke Antiques
Jason Clarke Antiques
Verified Since Jul 2015
View Dealer Info
Location: Newbury, Berkshire, United Kingdom
Verified
Jul 2015
For Sale
78
Sold
609
A late Victorian scientific apparatus featuring six glass Geissler tubes with brass caps mounted vertically on a black wooden display stand.
Late Victorian Geissler Tube Cross Vacuum Scale
Ref: SA874179
A late Victorian scientific apparatus featuring six glass Geissler tubes with brass caps mounted vertically on a black wooden display stand.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Detail View 8
Archival Detail
Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.
Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectScientific Instruments
  • Period1900 - 1920
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialGlass, Brass, Wood
  • ColourBlack
  • MotifsGlass vacuum tubes, Brass terminals, Black wooden stand, Numbered labels
  • SizeH 29 cm (11 in) x W 35 cm (14 in) x D 11 cm (4 in)

This late Victorian scientific instrument is a Geissler tube cross vacuum scale from around 1900, designed for educational or laboratory demonstrations of electrical glow discharge. The apparatus consists of an ebonised wood base and upright panel holding six vertical glass tubes with brass caps, connected to brass terminals. Each glass cylinder bears a sequential number label from 1 to 6, while a metal stand holds the lower ends and side connection points fit the wooden structure. The entire display stands at 29 cm high, 35 cm wide and 11 cm deep, making it a compact piece for a gentleman's library or study. Placed on a bookshelf or desk, this scientific piece serves as a striking decorative display object with its monochrome black finish and industrial glass and metal components. The visible hardware includes threaded metal binding posts and small brass fastening brackets at the top of each tube. The clear glass cylindrical vessels and dark timber structure create a distinct Victorian laboratory aesthetic that suits traditional interior settings without requiring any specialized restoration.

A Geissler tube apparatus is an early physical science instrument invented by Heinrich Geissler in 1857 to demonstrate electrical discharges through rarefied gases. These devices feature evacuated glass tubes containing low-pressure gases that glow when an electric current passes through them.

Late Victorian scientific instruments were primarily constructed using hand-blown lead glass, cast and machined brass fittings, lacquered copper wiring, and stained or ebonised hardwood bases.

Authentic pieces display period-correct construction features, such as hand-cut threads on brass components, hand-blown glass with subtle imperfections, original paper paper labelling, and natural age-related oxidisation on metal surfaces.

Scientific antiques make striking accent pieces when displayed on dark timber bookshelves, modern sideboards, or inside glass cabinet displays within industrial or dark academia inspired interiors.

Clean glass components gently with a dry microfibre cloth, avoiding harsh liquid cleaners near original paper labels. Brass elements should be kept free from moisture and dusted regularly without aggressive polish to preserve the historic patina.
items
Add keywords to the filter
Price
£100
£250000
Era
Period
Style
Material
Origin
Stock Location
Recently Added
Online Payments
Categories