France Archives - Page 8 of 52

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A 17th century Double Dial for the Pocket, French, c. second half 17th century, the eight-sided all-brass dial plate measuring 2″ x 2-11/16″ (5 x 7 cm). The plate is engraved with a circular chapter ring divided every hour from 4am to 8pm, with a circular Zodiacal calendar scale, and with a semi-elliptical hour scale divided again from 4am to 8pm. The circular chapter is engraved with radial hour lines, and set with a hinged gnomon; the Zodiacal circle Read More...

25 Apr

Antique Dobereiner lighter c1830

By Curiotiques

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For sale is this fine Antique Dobereiner Lamp lighter c1830. Brief history: Before matches were invented in around 1840, the Dobereiner lighter was invented in 1823 by German chemist Johann Wolfgang Döbereiner, this device was one of the world’s first lighters—predating friction matches by several years. The science consisted of a zinc and sulfuric acid generated hydrogen, which passed over a platinum catalyst and ignited into a small flame. It was the preferred fire-starter for refined individuals who thought “setting things Read More...

25 Apr

Antique Victorian dental Tooth Key with ebony handle c1800

By Curiotiques

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Offered for for sale is this Antique Victorian dental Tooth Key with ebony handle. 1780-1820. Brief history: Before dentists had chairs that didn’t look like torture devices, they had this: the tooth key. A charming little implement designed to wrench offending molars from your mouth with all the grace of a blacksmith pulling nails from a floorboard. Invented in the 18th century and widely used well into the 1800s, the tooth key was inspired by – you guessed it – a Read More...

24 Apr

A very rare 18th century French surveying plain table made in brass and wood

By Le Zograscope

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A quite rare example of plane or plain table, known as a planchette, with four sights, two of which are movable, mounted on a rotating alidade. The instrument is made of walnut and brass. The large brass circle is divided into two 360th degrees, then every degree and half-degree. An off-center compass is equipped with an arrow-shaped needle. Despite the ball joint is missing, a rare and unsual model of a surveying circle. 24 cm in diameter. Condition is excellent. Read More...

20 Apr

Antique Victorian Trepanning saw – Trephine with ebony handle c1870

By Curiotiques

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Offered for for sale is this lovely Antique Victorian Trepanning saw (trephine) with ebony handle circa 1870. The depth of the cut is adjustable with the small screw on the main shaft. The saw is very sharp. Brief history: Ah, the trepanning saw – because sometimes, opening someone’s skull was just what the doctor ordered. Used from ancient times right up through the 19th century, this charmingly terrifying tool was once the go-to gadget for everything from “letting out the bad Read More...

20 Apr

Ornate antique brass personal opiate syringe case with syringe

By Curiotiques

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Offered for sale is this fancy ornate antique brass opiate syringe case and syringe. On the front is a space for a monogram – unmarked. Brief history: Once upon a time, before the world decided that maybe heroin wasn’t the ideal cure for a stubbed toe, elegant folks carried little syringe kits like this one – the 19th-century equivalent of having a Headache pill in your bag, if Headache pills made you see colours and forget your address. This tidy, travel-sized opiate Read More...

20 Apr

Small brass antique pocket compass

By Curiotiques

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Offered for sale is this small brass antique pocket compass. There is a fleur-de-lis symbol on the compass face. This may indicate that it’s origin is from France. No other markings except the compass dial. Period: Late 19th century / Early 20th century. Style: Brass – early primitive machinedMaterial: Brass, glass cover for compass and paper face for compass dial Diameter: 35 mm Height: 10mm Condition: Good. Scratches on the brass. Small knocks and scratches in the brass. Glass compass face is Read More...

19 Apr

An Ombredanne Anaesthetic Ether Inhaler

By Fletcher

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An example of Ombredanne’s Ether inhaler by COLLIN, with calibrated inlet valve, Serial No. 998 Read More...

18 Apr

Unusual C1830 Dental Set with Bone Handles

By M and R Gordon

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An unusual and fine dental hygiene set with bone handles, in a velvet-lined case. French in origin and C1830 in date. The set is unusual in that it includes a toothpick, tongue scraper and forceps, objects not typically seen in dental hygiene sets of this type,. which usually only contain the instruments shown in the bottom-layer of this set. The latches on the case close easily–they are shown open in the case image. The vermeil forceps are marked “BORDEAUX”. Read More...

12 Apr

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

By Le Zograscope

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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...