The historic mineralogical instruments collection of the Real Museo Mineralogico, University of Naples Federico II: meaning and value

Abstract

The Real Museo Mineralogico of the University of Naples Federico II was established in 1801 by Ferdinando IV of Bourbon and his queen, Maria Carolina. Their aim was to create a centre for minerals research and education. The museum at present preserves over 50,000 objects, mainly minerals, but also books, teaching models and instruments. The last of these form a little-known collection of considerable scientific and historical value. Historical studies of the instruments collection are based on extensive archival research conducted on documents and ancient catalogues of the museum and the Archivio di Stato in Naples. This study describes the main instruments, detailing their date of acquisition, typology and use. Its goal is to provide a testimony to the contribution of the Real Museo Mineralogico to the development of the science of mineralogy in Naples, and at the same time to extend, by means of new data (suppliers, acquisition methods, price), the catalogue of the instruments collection.