Other Archives - Page 16 of 20

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FOOT-BINDING IN CHINA, first half 20th century, this life-size cast (or model) of a foot measuring 6-3/4″ (17 cm) long, formed apparently of hard plaster with a heavy shellac coat. It is a left foot, and shows the large toe extending forward, the other toes curled under the foot as grown during years of constant tight binding. Condition is very fine. This particular object was acquired in China, probably in the second quarter of the 20th century, by a Western Read More...

10 Jul

UNUSUAL ITALIAN FRUITWOOD DIPTYCH DIAL

By TESSERACT

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UNUSUAL FRUITWOOD DIPTYCH DIAL, Italian, c. 17th century. Measuring 2-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ x 7/8″ (6.6 x 8.8 x 2.2 cm) closed, the dial is handshaped of lovely fruitwood with fittings of brass and horn, and inset glazed compass with shaped needle and paper marked with magnetic declination. The angle of the lid is adjustable in latitude against a calibrated and notched hinged brass arm engaged by brass slider above. The wood and horn have decorative straight and crenelated outlining, Read More...

09 Jul

A MIDDAY-LINE RECKONER

By TESSERACT

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A MIDDAY-LINE RECKONER, Austrian, c.1900, signed “Neuhöfer & Sohn in Wien.” Made of heavy brass, finely machined and standing 4-1/4″ (11 cm) high, this unusual form of noon mark has a pinhole on top and a vertical scribe line passing through it and down to the base. In use one can plot, on a leveled plane table, the meridian sun’s projection through the pinhole, giving the direction to geographic North. Placing a trough compass along this line immediately gives Read More...

29 Jun

DRAGON BOAT TIMEKEEPER

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DRAGON BOAT TIMEKEEPER, Chinese, c. 19th century, made of finely carved wood, 34″ (86 cm) long. The well-carved dragon has dramatic head and tail, and floral decoration throughout, and is clutching balls (pearls?) in mouth and feet. It is finished in contrasting gold and black lacquer, showing traces of red pigment underneath. Condition is good, noting several losses to the wood, including one foot. In the hollow center is a decorated wood support with two short horizontal metal rods Read More...

28 Jun

Rare Military artillery army aims instrument

By Early Science

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Rare Military artillery army aims instrument about 100 years old, what it is exactly I do not know additional information is welcome The instrument has some very fine scales and directs visors If the handle is screwed on, you can still turn the adjusting screw via an ingenious system. the original wooden storage box is 68X16X10 cm in size. Well packaged and shipped insured with Post NL Read More...

27 Jun

Converging lens by

By Van Leest Antiques

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A converging lens in mahogany standaard and is signed by P.J. Kipp en Zn – Delft, Circa 1880-1890. The 7 cm diameter lens is a hollow plano-convex lens is mounted on a wooden base with a telescope construction. The base has a lead ring to make the stand heavier. A converging lens in mahogany standaard and is signed by P.J. Kipp en Zn – Delft, Circa 1880-1890. The 7 cm diameter lens is a hollow plano-convex lens is mounted Read More...

26 Jun

Wolf Bottle, 19th C.

By Van Leest Antiques

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A 19th century hand blown from transparent glass “Wolf bottle”. Further in good condition and there is an identical Wolf bottle in the Henry Wellcome collection museum in London. 17 cm high and a diameter of 10 cm. Look for shop information on www.vanleestantiques.com Read More...

08 Jun

FINE VENETIAN TELESCOPE

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FINE VENETIAN TELESCOPE, Italian, c. second quarter 18th century, engraved on the objective lens “Biasio Burlini, Venezia.” The telescope opens from 11-1/8″ to 36″ (28 – 91 cm) with four card drawtubes bound in green vellum. The main tube is bound in vellum painted with wonderful swirling colorful floral designs, and protected with a typical high-gloss clear lacquer finish. Lens mounts, tube rings, and end caps are all finely turned of horn. With internal erecting system, the telescope gives Read More...

05 Jun

PRIMITIVE BRASS HINDU ASTROLABE

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PRIMITIVE BRASS HINDU ASTROLABE, Indian, probably 19th century. Measuring 5″ (13 cm) in diameter, the astrolabe is made of sheet brass, hand cut and engraved in Sanskrit. The rete has 20 named star pointers, all of the early dagger form. The ecliptic circle is divided into 12 named houses, and the equatorial circle and tropic of Capricorn are present. The combined plate / mater, designed for a single latitude, bears a Sanskrit inscription on the throne, and is divided, Read More...

03 Jun

ELEGANT BRASS ASTROLABE

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ELEGANT BRASS ASTROLABE, signed for the astronomer who designed it and for the craftsman who made it, Indian, c. mid-19th century. The main plate measures 10-3/4″ (27.4 cm) in overall diameter, hand-engraved on the front with the coordinate system for a user at latitude approximately 28 degrees north. The astrolabe was likely crafted in Rajasthan, possibly in the important city of Bikaner at latitude 28.01 degrees. Around the projection is a circumferential scale divided every degree and labeled every Read More...

22 May

FINE QUALITY QUADRUPLE-EYEPIECE THREE-DRAW MONOCULAR

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QUADRUPLE-EYEPIECE THREE-DRAW MONOCULAR, Austrian, early 19th century, signed “Plofsl in Wien.” Opening from 3-1/4″ to 8-1/4″ (8 – 21 cm) and constructed of silver plated brass and copper, this small telescope is fitted with a cemented doublet achromatic objective, and a wheel of four selectable eye lenses. The tubes are rolled and soldered, not drawn. It offers upright images of high magnification but with a small field of view. Condition is fine noting negligible dents and a tiny edge Read More...

21 May

UNUSUAL CZECH URANOSCOPE

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THE URANOSCOPE OF PROFESSOR ADOLF MACH, Czech, c. early 20th century, signed “Uranoskop. Astronomicko-zemepisny ukazatel. Sestavil prof. Adolf Mach.” Constructed on heavy card, 18-5/8″ x 19-3/4″ (47 x 50 cm), this unusual planisphere has a rotating volvelle of the heavens printed on starched linen, and a rotating brass index pointer, with readout against an outer hour scale divided every minute. Underneath the volvelle is a fixed map of the earth, printed in colors, utilizing a most remarkable projection centered Read More...