Early Spike-Stand
Stock Number: FG_22038
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These are early forms of the single microscope made of bone, horn, or fruitwood. They have a single, biconvex lens mounted on the top of a stand facing a spike on a movable rod or a brass sprung pin, to which a flower or an insect could be speared for inspection (thus the term "flea glass", an English translation of the Latin name vitrum pulicarium). Focusing was achieved by moving the spike backwards or towards the lens.
A similar microscope appears in Johannes Zahn's (1702) book (last image). The instrument seen here dates between the late 17th to the mid-18th century.
Dimensions
Height: 9 cm
Circa
1700
Country of manufacture
Germany
Description
This is an early form of a spike-stand microscope made of lathe-turned bone (presumably bovine). This early and rare form of the Spike-Stand microscope is more or less similar to Zahn’s depiction, the latter was probably turned of wood.
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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.
