France Archives - Page 3 of 53

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This is a rare 18th-century microscope with a magnification slider offering five distinct levels of magnification, and it is in excellent condition. While it could have functioned autonomously, however, the presence of the rail with the stops suggests it may have been part of a larger instrument. There are limited options for the maker of this instrument, as only a few manufacturers utilize such sliders. I’ll leave further research to more knowledgeable experts. Please also note the provided dimensions. Read More...

22 Oct

Coddington Microscope Pendant Set In Gold-Coated And Mother Of Pearl Ormulu Housing, Late 19th Century

By Gilgamesh

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A beautifully decorated and highly prestigious ormolu-decorated French Coddington pendant microscope. I analyzed it using an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer and found that the ormolu-decorated frames are made of gold-plated brass alloy. The body of the microscope is crafted from mother-of-pearl and is in excellent condition. I will provide the precise elemental composition to the buyer. The magnification is impressive, and the resolving power is good for that period. Read More...

21 Oct

ELEGANT ‘Pied de Roy” /Archipenzolo BY BUTTERFIELD

By Alpha et Omega

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ELEGANT ‘Pied de Roy” /Archipenzolo BY MICHEL BUTTERFIELD, c.1700 A 18×2.5cm (7 1/16/” x 1”) close folding brass “Pied de Roy” with decoratively shaped joint element, hand-graved “Butterfield AParis” and “Pied de Roy”. Nicely engraved with floral decoration. Very good condition (please note a scratch on one side). The instrument was also used as “archipenzolo”, i.e. the possibility to be placed on the cannon barrel to set the correct angle for shot. Michel Butterfield (London, c. 1643 – Paris, 1724) a well-known Parisian maker, Read More...

15 Oct

A LARGE MEURAND GRAPHOMETER, c1770

By Alpha et Omega

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A LARGE MEURAND GRAPHOMETER, c1770 A large brass graphometer signed: “Meurand Quai de l’Horloge du Palais à Paris”, c.1770. Dimension: 29.4cm (11 ½”) Nice floral decoration on sides and on bottom of the compass with decorated wind rose. Antoine Joseph Meurand (w1750 -1795). “Maitre foundeur” between 1770 and 1772. He provided instruments to the military mission at Constantinopolis. Paris, Quai de l’Horloge in 1771. A NICE INSTRUMENT IN WORKING CONDITION By A RENOWNED MAKER Read More...

04 Oct

Biot’s polariscope by Pixii and Son, ca. 1835

By Gilgamesh

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This is a rare early polarization instrument. The essential components for polarization, particularly the polarization prism named after William Nicol, had been developed by Edinburgh mineralogists William Nicol (1770-1851) and David Brewster (1781-1861) in the early 19th century. In 1834, the Englishman William Henry Fox Talbot (1800-1877) proposed combining Nicol’s prisms with a microscope to observe thin sections of rock. Interestingly, Nicol had suggested this concept a few years earlier. During the same year, Talbot noted remarkable color phenomena Read More...

04 Oct

Pedometer-compass- map measure by Henri Chatelain ca 1920

By Early Science

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With this well-functioning original instrument, made by Henri Chatelain around 1920, you could measure steps, determine distances on a map, and use a small compass in the top knob. Dimensions/diameter approx. 2 inches. Price ( € 95 ) includes insured shipping within Europe; worldwide shipping available upon request. Read More...

03 Oct

An Early description of the Gattey’s Arithmograph – 1813

By Le Zograscope

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GATTEY (François), Tables des rapports des anciennes mesures agraires avec les nouvelles. Troisième édition, Paris, Michaud Frères, 1812. 8vo of (4), 328, (2) and 1 folded plate; contemporary half-sheepskin (faded spine, missing leather, and fragile joints). Third edition, but the first given an illustrated description of Gattey’s Arithmograph, a separate publication of which had already appeared in 1810 at the time of the publication of the second edition of the Tables. The original edition of the tables appeared in 1801. Gattey Read More...

03 Oct

Beautiful rare French early 19th Century mahogany box

By Eppursimuove

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Beautiful rare French early 19th century mahogany box Very good quality brass dividers, architect or student set. Complete with 12 quality pieces. In excellent condition. size: 19,5 x 11,5 x 3 cm Feel free to ask for further photos or information. Thanks Read More...

01 Oct

C1840 Fruitwood & Bone Monaural Stethoscope

By M and R Gordon

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A handsome example of a c1840 monaural stethoscope in fruit-wood and bone. Height: 6.5″. We would date this as coming on the heels of the Piorry scopes. Possibly French. Minor staining to bone ear piece but o/w in very good+ condition. Read More...

29 Sep

A rare rectangular graphometer by Gourdin, dated 1781

By Le Zograscope

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Rectangular graphometer dated 1781 by Pierre Gourdin. An unusual shape for an 18th-century French brass graphometer. It is signed and dated “Gourdin au Quart de cercle à Paris 1781.” This graphometer is rectangular, with two water levels, two fixed sights, and an rotable alidade with two sights. On the back, it bears no trace for a ball joint or a support. It was therefore used directly on the planchette or perhaps attached to the board from one side empty. Thus, the two levels were Read More...

29 Sep

Rochette Père, Paris, Rococo-styled Ormolu microscope employing Martin’s optics

By Gilgamesh

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There is a blurry signature on the brass plate attached to the wooden baseplate:Rochette Quai de l’Horloge ParisAt this address, two manufacturers, a father and son, operated with the names Rochette Père and Rochette Jeune. Gaspard Rochette (1754–1822) is Rochette Père, while Rochette Jeune refers to Jean Rochette (fl. 1817-1860), who worked in the first half of the 19th century. Although Jean Rochette signed several microscopes, Gaspard Rochette is not known for making optical instruments. The Rococo style and Read More...

27 Sep

4.5 inch sector by Chapotot, circa 1700.

By Scientific Inspirations

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Rare 4.5″ French sector by ‘Chapotot, Paris,maker of optical and mathematical instruments. Worked in Paris 1670–1700, at Quai de l’Horloge du Palais à la Sphère. He was an apprentice to Guillaume Ménard and appointed Master of the Corporation des Fondeurs. He produced many types of instruments, including sundials, surveying instruments, mathematical instruments, and simple microscopes. His son Jean continued the business until about 1721. Read More...