Compound Microscope and Accessories, Likely Dutch, c. 1790, Modified During the 1830s’ to become achromatic
Stock Number: FG_22005
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Large tripod Dutch microscope of the terminal 18th century, modified to achromatic in the early 19th century.
Dimensions
39/40 cm high when standing
Circa
1800
Country of manufacture
Other
Description
This is a very fine example of a large tripod-mounted Dutch microscope from the early 19th century. This type of microscope, a development of the Dellebarre type, is never signed, but we know some earlier examples of box-mounted and datable from the late 18th century. The present example is very similar to one preserved at Oxford (inventory inv.41738: https://www.hsm.ox.ac.uk/collections-online#/item/hsm-catalogue-6719 ) and described as Dutch. The present example was modified during the 1830s with the addition of an early achromatic French objective, a new plate and a mirror mounted below the stage and not on the tripod leg as it was originally.
This is a rare microscope of high quality with four original non-achromatic objectives and one achromatic objective (most likely adopted from a French set by Chevalier professionally fit into an original objective brass frame). It measures 39/40 cm high.
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Gilgamesh
Gilgamesh is a mythological hero from the ancient cultures of West Asia, who embarked on a journey in search of youth and eternal life. Fleaglass Gilgamesh is located in Israel. As an Emeritus Professor of archaeology, I have spent over four decades researching the material culture of the distant past, utilizing the microscope as a powerful research tool. For the past thirty years, I have collected microscopes from the first 300 years of this remarkable instrument's history and have studied the cultural context of their use.
What started as a passion has turned into an obsession, and I now cultivate a nearly unique collection of historical microscopes from West Asia. From time to time, I offer surplus or particularly interesting items from my collection for sale. I am happy to provide free advice to any interested collector. If you would like to receive photos, information, and bibliographic references, or if you wish to discuss the details of the items I have for sale, please feel free to reach out.
