A rare Culpeper-type compound microscope, possibly by MATTHEW LOFT, with brass eyepiece, lignum vitae carrier, green vellum body tube with numbered graduated settings, the outer body tube sleeve with pink dyed shagreen, single nose-piece, sprung stage slide holder, shaped circular stage, stage mounted bull's-eye, body tube, stage and circular base united by inswept lacquered brass tripod support, on circular ebonised foot, over an ebonised plinth base with drawer, with lieberkuhn carrier, six graduated objectives and other accessories in shaped pyramid case with brass handle c. 1740 - 18¾in. high

Details

A rare Culpeper-type compound microscope, possibly by MATTHEW LOFT, with brass eyepiece, lignum vitae carrier, green vellum body tube with numbered graduated settings, the outer body tube sleeve with pink dyed shagreen, single nose-piece, sprung stage slide holder, shaped circular stage, stage mounted bull's-eye, body tube, stage and circular base united by inswept lacquered brass tripod support, on circular ebonised foot, over an ebonised plinth base with drawer, with lieberkuhn carrier, six graduated objectives and other accessories in shaped pyramid case with brass handle c. 1740 - 18¾in. high

Lot Essay

This microscope is of the second pattern produced by Matthew Loft who flourished as a maker between 1720-1747. However John Cuff (c.17808-1772) produced a very similar instrument c.1744
C.f R.S.Clay & T.H.Court The HISTORY of the MICROSCOPE London 1975 pp.118-123

More from Engineering and Scientific Works of Art

View All