EXTRAORDINARY PART-SET OF DRAWING INSTRUMENTS
Stock Number: 9236
$6500.
DRAWING INSTRUMENTS, probably English, c. 1830, the brass tools with the most sumptuous decoration throughout.
Dimensions
wooden case 5-1/2 inches (14 cm) tall
Circa
c.1830
Country of manufacture
UK and Ireland
Description
EXTRAORDINARY PART-SET OF DRAWING INSTRUMENTS, probably English, c. 1830, the brass tools with the most sumptuous decoration throughout. There are eleven slots in the case, of which eight are filled, as follows: — brass and steel dividers body, — steel tip to complete the above as 3-13/16″ (10 cm) tall dividers, — elegantly shaped brass tip to complete the above as pencil compass, — hand-held brass pencil holder, — vertical pen with spring-loaded steel-tipped brass blades for inking; it separates to reveal scriber point on the handle, — vertical pen with curved steel blades for inking; it separates to reveal scriber point on the handle, — magnificent little ivory parallel rule with golden scissors hinge bearing extensive floral decor, — unusual ivory draftsman¹s rule with seven different reduction scales of equal parts, a scale of chords, and on the reverse scales of half- and quarter-inches with transversal interpolation grids. All of the brass surfaces are skillfully hand engraved with floral and geometric designs.
The set is housed in a remarkable portable wooden case 5-1/2″ (14 cm) tall, the exterior covered in rectangular and trapezoidal concentric patterns of inlays of different woods, almost as an early “op-art” or “perspective” box, the interior retaining some gilding to the wood. The effect is reminiscent of Tunbridge ware. Condition is very fine, noting one tiny chip to the wood, and the obvious missing pieces to the set. A remarkable set, for which we find no comparable example.
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Dealer information
TESSERACT
David and Yola Coffeen both have enjoyed academic careers, as planetary astronomer and as linguist/educator. But since 1982 (yes, 1982!) they have been full-time dealers in early scientific and medical instruments, under the name Tesseract. Selling primarily by catalogue (over 100 issued so far) they also have a web presence at www.etesseract.com, and can be contacted at mail@etesseract.com.
