Archives

ELEGANT BRASS ASTROLABE

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...

FINE QUALITY QUADRUPLE-EYEPIECE THREE-DRAW MONOCULAR

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...

UNUSUAL CZECH URANOSCOPE

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...

Unusual Diamond Scale Compendium

Mahogany cased of set of three scales used by diamond merchant, possibly Dutch but unsigned. Partial set of Carat weights: 500,400,300,200,100,64,48,36,24,22,.5,.3 and four fractional weights Read More...

Canoe bar with dog head decor made early 19th century

Canoe bar with dog head decor. In good condition. Dimension: total length of 106 cm.  Datable early 19th century.  Read More...

Bock Steger Skin model

An early Bock-Steger Skin model. It is good condition. After collaborating with Carl Ernst Bock, Franz Josef Steger (1845-1938) also worked with the professor Wilhelm His (1831-1904). Before these collaborations, his earlier models are signed Franz Joseph Steger.  The piece is not signed by F.J. Steger; So I believe that the model is made under his collaboration with C. E. Bock. So I will date the model circa 1870- 1874. Measurements: of 36 x 30 cm.   Look for shop information Read More...

Anatomical eye model by Merkelbach

A horizontal cut, papier-mache, plaster and glass, model of the human eyeball on wooden base. This model was dristributed by Merkelbach Amsterdam. The dissectable parts are: upper half of the sclera with eyemuscle attachements, lower half on the base, choroid with iris and retina, cornea and vitreous humour. All hand painted in great detail. Measurements: 22x 21x 15 cm. Look for shop information on www.vanleestantiques.com  Read More...

A Bohemian horizontal Sundial from 1731

Bohemia, dated 1731  Fire-Gilded and silvered brass, black colored engravings, the backside monogrammed  „F: P: A: W  / 1731“  With the engraved combined coat-of-arms of the Pentenrieder v. Adelshausen and the Hartlieb von Wallthor family  (Johann Kaspar P. and Anna Theresia H. married in 1728 and lived in Luschan / Luzany, West-Bohemia, today Czech Republic).    Compass with blued steel needle and original glass (circlip missing).  Condition: Original, untouched condition with good patina.    Size c. 11 x 8,4 cm    Provenance: Austrian private collection  Read More...

Early Demonstration Van Der Graaff Generator by Physica

For sale, a rare mid-twentieth century Van Der Graaff Generator by Physica This rare and early example is comprised of a Bakelite rectangular base with input to the front for an additional discharge wand and the manufacturer transfer to the front stating “Physica”. It has a circular handle incorporated to the side with a groove cut out in order to attach the generator to an external motor. Two lucite struts support the upper and lower rollers which hold the natural rubber Read More...

Becker comparator, C 1860

An Antique length comparator or Becker-comparator in original sheath. It is a calibration instrument from 1850-1870 and signed bij G. Becker Arnhem. The comparator belongs to the museum “kamer van het ijkmuseum”. Length 121 cm. Look for shop information on www.vanleestantiques.com Read More...

Celestial globe from the USSR, Asia, 1965.

This USSR celestial globe was made in 1965, yet it is almost identical to ones manufactured by Carey & Co, in London, UK in the early 1900s (such as item GLB0050 in the collection of the National Maritime Museum Greenwich). Though this long period of production shows the longevity of navigational devices, this instrument was almost out of date by the time of its manufacture. From the 1980s, portable electronic scientific calculators allowed navigators to make astronomical calculations with Read More...

SIGNIFICANT LODESTONE ON STAND

SIGNIFICANT LODESTONE ON STAND, Dutch, 17th / early 18th century.  This large 4” (10 cm) long lodestone is a wonderfully shaped chunk of naturally magnetic magnetite, found in nature.  It is mounted with iron plates and pole pieces to concentrate the field, and boldly bound in brass conforming to the shape of the stone and with decorative “columnar” supports above.  The poles are engraved in Dutch “Noord” and “Suyd.”  The whole lodestone weighs three pounds. It has a wonderful Read More...