The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700
Lodestone in Textile Bag [ARK00039]
Attached People: Collector (major) - Bargrave, John (1610-1680)Location(s): Current location at - Canterbury Cathedral Library and Archives (Library and/or Archive) -> Canterbury Cathedral (Institution)
Annotation:[Canterbury Catalog: Multi-layered bag holding a lodestone, a magnetic mineral which was used as the first kind of compass; a heavy magnetic piece of ore, roughly circular. Practically enclosed in a layer of paper/felt stitched with coarse brown thread. A red, yellow and black ribbon attached to one side, then layer of black silk, length of black leather, somewhat pierced, sewn into the bag from one side. Inside the enclosure there appears to be string used as stuffing. Two iron "feet" protrude from the bag. Associated strip of leather was probably sewn into other side to form a hanging strap.] (approx 1600 - 1650)