Large and very complete box of rulers for curves. Stanley London, England, second half of the 19th century.

Large and very complete box of rulers for curves. Stanley London, England, second half of the 19th century.
Walnut wood box.
Multiple curvature rulers.
Exhibits wear consistent with age and use.
Measurements: 10,5 x 48,5 x 19 cm.

This exceptional box, from the prestigious London firm Stanley (world renowned for its manufacture of high precision drawing and engineering instruments), represents an exhaustive compendium of essential tools for the tracing of complex curves. Its origin in late 19th century England places it in an era of intense industrial, naval, railway and architectural development, where the need to design organic and aerodynamic shapes, as well as structures with arcs and parabolas, was paramount. The box features a vast collection of curve rules. These precision-made templates are essential for technical drawing, drafting, industrial and naval design. The rulers are made of wood (probably boxwood). The collection covers a very wide range of curvatures, from the smoothest and most elongated to the most pronounced and closed. This diversity allowed the draftsman to replicate any arc or curved segment needed, from the silhouette of a ship's hull to the profile of a mechanical part or the shape of an architectural element.