Screw press, an auger, and a water-current experiment
A crowded study sheet of mechanisms, a test of where a stream runs fastest, and vessel sketches
This densely worked sheet gathers many small ink studies: a large screw-driven press with a horizontal bar at the centre, assorted tools, an auger (succhiello), coiled forms, and vessel sketches. One note describes an experiment for finding where a stream runs fastest — at its surface, middle, or bottom — by dropping tinted water and oil onto a small stream running over a globular bed. Turning the sheet reveals studies of tableware (basin, jug, salt-cellar and cup) beside a decorative palmette scroll, and the name 'Antonio' is jotted beside the largest figure. Beyond the transcribed blocks the sheet carries further faint mirror-script annotations near the small mechanisms that are not included here.
On this page
Screw-driven press with a horizontal bar
The dominant figure at the centre of the sheet is a large threaded screw set vertically beneath a long horizontal bar, drawn together with mounts and smaller mechanical members. Numerous tool-like sketches and shafts surround it. No dedicated caption accompanies this apparatus in the transcription.
Finding where a stream runs fastest
To see where the surface, middle, or bottom of the water is faster, throw water tinted with sinopia together with oil onto a small stream running over a globular bed of varying slopes. Watch which reaches the end of the course first: if the oil arrives first the water runs faster above than below; if the tinted water arrives first the river runs faster in its middle.
Note on an auger (succhiello)
Beside a drill-like tool at the right is a brief working rule: if the crest runs three times over, that is enough. The note evidently sets a proportion for the cutting ridge of the auger.
The name 'Antonio'
To the left of the largest figure the name 'Antonio' is written on its own, a personal jotting rather than part of any technical note.
Vessels and a decorative scroll
Turning the sheet onto its left side, Leonardo lists and sketches vessels: basin, jug, salt-cellar and cup. A decorative palmette scroll is drawn near the top of the sheet, giving the studies a design character alongside the mechanical work.