Lot 6
6
A rare mid 19th-Century French miniature "monkey" microscope,
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VA… Read more
A rare mid 19th-Century French miniature "monkey" microscope,

Details
A rare mid 19th-Century French miniature "monkey" microscope,
stamped on the underside of the base MOREAU and 128 -- 10.1cm. (4in.) high

See Illustrations

The brass barrel, with threaded objective and eyepiece, slides in a sleeve (remains of silvering) forming part of a shaped limb. The limb is screwed to the top of the head of a bronze figure of a monkey, sitting on a small plinth with crossed legs. The side of the plinth is also stamped 128. The eyes are picked out in red and black paint and the monkey's raised hands support the simple stage, beneath which is mounted a swivelling plane mirror. The monkey is mounted on a metal base painted green, with gilt detail. The instrument fits into a mahogany carrying case (probably original) with a brass carrying handle and two hooks and nails.
Literature
Catalogue of The Billings Microscope Collection (Washington, 1974)
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

Lot Essay

An example of this instrument is held in the Billings Microscope Collection of the Medical Museum of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington D.C. (AFIP 49099-60-4713-268). It is described in the catalogue as the "monkey microscope". It has been suggested that these instruments relate to Charles Darwin's opinion that homo sapiens were descended from the primates. This was misinterpreted in the press at the time and caused a furor; subsequently a number of cartoons were published illustrating Darwin as an ape or monkey.
A similar, but gilded, example was sold in these rooms on 27 November 1997 for £1955.

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