France Archives - Page 5 of 51

An important silver French nécessaire, possibly for small surgery, with South American Indians decoration, Paris, circa 1630

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An important small silver and steel nécessaire, France, Paris, circa 1620-1630. A pair of scissors, two knives, and an awl, made of silver and steel with decorative elements of three naked archers clearly evoking the South American continent, are preserved in a shaped case decorated with small stamp in shape of fleurs-de-lis. The purpose of these small portable kits is not clearly defined: embroidery? minor surgery? multipurpose? This kit and its four instruments, in a rare and perfect condition, are part of Read More...

12 Apr

Rare miniature Boyelle-Morin optical level with telescope, circa 1900

By Le Zograscope

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A rare example of one of the smallest telescope level the “Niveau Boyelle-Morin à collimateur dioptrique”, introduced by Boyelle and Morin around 1900 and manfactured by the French compagny Henri Morin. The here for a description in the 1910-1911 Morin catalogue : The example is in pristine condition. Read More...

09 Apr

A Vibrophone hearing aid by Harrys, working in Paris

By M and R Gordon

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A Vibrophone hearing aid by Harrys, working in Paris (95, rue des Boulens). Case size: 3″ x 2″ x .1″. It is complete. The band on the interior of the lid is for instructions, which are not present. A 1913 advertisement for the device in a Portuguese journal describes it “as an invisible device that is placed in the ear canal. Thanks to its great power and precision deaf people hear and can follow a conversation. With its use Read More...

29 Mar

Horizontal brass sundial signed André à Paris made circa 1640.

By Galerie Delalande Paris

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Horizontal brass sundial signed around its bird gnomon “A. André à Paris”. On the back various decorations and the latitude of 17 cities. Green small-grained shagreen case with burgundy velvet interior. Note: A. André was a sundial maker who worked in Paris between 1603 and 1640. Dimensions (dial): length of 5,3 cm x width of 4,4 cm. Paris made circa 1640. Read More...

19 Mar

Late 19th-Century French Medical Electricity Medallion

By M and R Gordon

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A late 19th-century brass medallion with a medical battery cast on the front and the words:” Electrique 5 degres”. Verso: a large capital “E” and “Guerison Assuree”: Healing Guaranteed. The first two images show the medallion in it current patinated state,which we’ve chosen to leave it in. It could easily be polished. The remaining two show it under high illumination. Diameter without suspension ring: 1.25″ or 3cm. Read More...

18 Mar

La Faye’ spring cystotome in silver and caustic holder in vermeil, 18th century

By Le Zograscope

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Two very rare and exceptional ophtalmological instruments, they come together and were used together, from France, circa 1760-70s’ : -A La Faye’ spring cystotome used for cataract surgery and invented by La Faye in 1752 (see the last picture showing the original publication in the Mémoire de l’Académie Royale de chirurgie published in 1753). The instrument is made in solid silver and is in pristine condition. No hallmark. This is a groundbreaking instrument in the history of ophthalmology. 10 cm Read More...

15 Mar

Antique optometrist’s skiascope rack French ca 1900

By Early Science

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Antique optometrist’s skiascope rack. A French, ebony and glass optical instrument, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Fascinating instrument following the mid 19th century H. Parent principle.Displays a desirable patina throughoutTactile ebony body presents dark hues with shaped edgesTwenty four glass diopters, each in very good orderEach rack with a plus or minus magnification from 0.50 to 10With original glides and original box Dimensions:Max Width: 6.5cm (2.5”)Max Depth: 0.5cm (25”)Max Height: 42cm (16.5”) Read More...

12 Mar

ELEGANT FOLDING RULE by SAUTOUT-CHOIZY, ca.1690

By Alpha et Omega

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ELEGANT FOLDING RULE by SAUTOUT-CHOIZY, ca.1690 A 3 3/8” (8.6 cm); 6 3/8” (17.2 cm) fully open folding brass rule with decoratively shaped joint-reinforcement element and alignment pin, hand-graved Demi pied du Roy and Lignes, and reading to 6 pouces. The pouce is a French inch slightly longer than the English inch. The joint is elegantly engraved on each face with a traditional flower-and-leaf design, shaded to give it depth. Mint condition. Pierre Sautout-Choizy (active 1682 – d 1714) at Quai de l’Horloge à Read More...

06 Mar

Late 17Th Century Surveying Compass with four Pinnules Signed HAYE A PARIS

By Antiques Le Saint Georges

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“Four pinnules, each with a slot, are attached to the compass shelf, which is mounted on a knee stand (and engraved with the signature); two of the stands can be folded down laterally. In the middle, the compass has a central rosette and a sixteen-way compass rose on its base, with a fleur-de-lis in the north, the French names of the four cardinal points and the initials of the four collaterals; a 360-degree scale surrounds the compass rose on Read More...

02 Mar

Equinoxial Brass Sundial rare signed Lasnier aux 2 Globes Paris C. 1735 in original leather case.

By Antiques Le Saint Georges

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Equinoxial Brass Sundial rare signed Lasnier aux 2 Globes Paris C. 1735 in original leather case. Octogonal base plate containing a compass, with hinged latitude arm and a hinged hour-ring. Signed Lasnier au 2 Globes Read More...

28 Feb

Rare Miniature Travel Reflecting Telescope C.1740

By Antiques Le Saint Georges

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Rare Miniature travel Reflecting telescope C.1740. Beautiful Gregorian telescope mounted on a tripod base. In the main tube, a first steel mirror receives light (the image) which is then reflected and focused towards a second, smaller concave mirror. It is this image which is observed at the other end of the tube. An endless screw, installed along the tube, makes it possible to improve sharpness and vary the distance between the two mirrors. The first model of Gregorian telescope was built in Read More...

28 Feb

A French Copernican armillary sphere, c. 1890

By Van Leest Antiques

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A French Copernican hand rotating armillary sphere of the of circa 1890. Arising from an ebonized wooden stand with rotating planets around the sun. Eleven rotating celestial bodies are depicted including the Sun, Venus, Mercurius, Earth, Moon, Mars, Vesta, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. At the centre the sun as a metal ball, the earth as a miniature papier mâche globe and the moon as a white bone globe. The earth can be rotated by hand and the remaining planets Read More...