Description
The concept of identifying a liquid by density is derived from Galileo Galilei’s thermometer. In the mid 18th Century, in Scotland, this idea was adopted for hydrostatic balls to test alcohol contents of various types of liquor and other liquids. The Scottish glass blower and instrument maker Angelo Lovi made the offered set in the first decade of the 19th Century based on his improved design. A similar set of hydrostatic balls by Lovi is in the collection of the Science Museum Group Collection in Great Britain, and described online as follows:
Spirit bubbles are sometimes used in the context of scientific research, but historically they have mainly been used in the brewing industry. They are placed into a measure of spirits such as gin, whisky, rum, or brandy to test the alcohol content or proof. For example, the bubbles numbered 22 and 23 are used to test the proof of a double whisky; if it is the correct proof the glass ball sinks to the bottom.
The National Museums of Scotland provide the following online biography of Angelo Lovi, in the context of a barometer by him in their collection:
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.
Transcription of paper label, inside front lid:
Hydrostatic Balls for Proving Spirits
(The Beads will sink to the bottom of the Glass, according to directions.)22 Double Whisky.
2324 Double Rum & Oil of Olive.
2526 Double Brandy & Gin.
2728 Proof Rum, Brandy & Gin.
29
3031 Glass Proof.
3250 Proving the lightest water.
Made and Sold by A. Lovi,/ Niddery’s Street, Edinburgh,
Condition: Generally very good with the usual overall light wear from handling and usage. 2 glass balls from the set lacking.
Reference:
“Set of Thirteen Spirit Bubbles Edinburgh Scotland.
Science Museum Group. https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co116426/set-of-thirteen-spirit-bubbles-edinburgh-scotland-1801-1900 (24 February 2025).
“Barometer, made by Angelo Lovi.” National Museum of Scotland. http://nms.scran.ac.uk/database/record.php?usi=000-180-000-296-C (25 February 2025).
