Other Archives - Page 18 of 22

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FINELY BOUND IRREGULAR LODESTONE, engraved “N” and “S” at the two poles. Measuring 2-1/4″ x 2-3/4″ x 2″ (6 x 7 x 5 cm) overall, the brass is beautifully shaped to accommodate the natural form of the stone. It features large iron plates to concentrate the force, and a swiveling brass suspension ring. Constructed with a type of naturally magnetic magnetite stone, it dates 17th / 18th century, in very fine condition, retaining noticeable magnetism. Such mounting and assembly Read More...

05 Oct

FINELY SHAPED SINGLE-HANDED CHART DIVIDERS

By TESSERACT

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FINELY SHAPED SINGLE-HANDED CHART DIVIDERS, European, c. 17th century. Made of two pieces of iron, hand wrought and filed, decoratively cut and riveted together, these early navigator’s dividers measure 7-1/2″ (19 cm) overall. They are most attractive, with thin legs topped by zig-zag cut decoration, and extraordinary waviform head. Condition is fine noting overall light oxidation. A very special early example. Read More...

30 Sep

EXCEPTIONAL DIRECT-PLOTTING SEXTANT

By TESSERACT

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EXCEPTIONAL DIRECT-PLOTTING SEXTANT, Austrian, c.1840, signed “C.E. Kraft in Wien.” This lovely sextant measures 5-3/4″ tall and 6″ (15 cm) wide overall, of clear lacquered brass with blued steel screws and shaped wood handle. It is fitted with clampable index arm and mirror, half-silvered horizon mirror rotatable by thumbscrew below, and sighting tube. The angular scale is divided directly on the brass, every degree from 0 to 140 (but useable only to 122° making this a true sextant); readout Read More...

29 Sep

DUTCH PLEINSCHAAL NAVIGATION RULE

By TESSERACT

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DUTCH PLEINSCHAAL NAVIGATION RULE, first half 19th century, signed “JMK & Zn” (for J.M. Kleman and Son), made of fine boxwood 13-1/2″ (34 cm) long. The rule is hand divided and punched with numerous scales, and has six little inset brass studs for use with dividers. One side has a straightforward linear scale of equal parts, running from 0 to 9 in units of approximately 2.2 cm, and with single and double transversal interpolation grids at each end. The Read More...

27 Sep

LARGE EARLY BRASS AND STEEL DIVIDERS

By TESSERACT

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EARLY BRASS AND STEEL DIVIDERS, Continental, c. second half 17th century, 9-1/4″ (23 cm) overall, rather primitively shaped but with a five-leaf brass hinge. In fine condition complete with an early sheet brass cover for the tips. Read More...

15 Sep

GOOD VENETIAN TELESCOPE

By TESSERACT

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GOOD VENETIAN TELESCOPE, Italian, c. 1800, signed “Leonardo Semitecolo.” Opening from 12″ to 33-1/2″ (30 – 85 cm) by three draw tubes, the telescope is constructed of heavy card tubes bound in fine multi-colored paper, with turned fittings of multi-toned horn. The main tube is stamped with charming floral patterns. The singlet objective and three-element Schyrle eyepiece system give good erect images. Condition is fine with light wear, lacking dust covers. Lens making got an early start in Venice, and Read More...

21 Jul

FOOT-BINDING IN CHINA

By TESSERACT

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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...

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...