The tackles are suspended from a 's Gravesande column, named after its inventor. The "column" is an all-purpose stand suitable for a wide range of mechanical and hydrostatic experiments. This specimen resembles item inv. 539, 1401.

There are two tackles consisting of a pair of iron pulley-blocks with eight and twenty-four brass sheaves respectively, interconnected by a cord. A third tackle, all in brass, carries a total of twenty pulleys in two blocks. Provenance: Lorraine collections.