Blown Glass Scientific Instruments

A decorative collection of seven extra large German 1930s-1940s apothecary jars in blown and pressed amber glass with pressed and blown glass lids. Once used for chemistry and pharmaceutical stuff, now very pretty as decoration set. Not jet antique...

French Pewter and Sand 15 Minutes Hour Glass

A highly decorative pair of reserve painted pharmacy dry storage jars. Both jars with painted steel lids, the jars with pontil marks to the base as one would expect for hand blow...

A trio of larger than the norm "witches" balls, each with a beautiful time worn oxidisation to their interiors. Pressed copper galleries and hanging hoops, first quarter of the 2...

A 19th century mercury glass witches ball on a later purpose made ebonised stand. The witches ball has a small glass lipped base that sits perfectly on ...

A fine collection of ten hand blown glass witches balls, all with their original pressed brass galleries and hanging hoops, later period chain and s hook...

A unusual matching pair of 20th century mirrored oval witches balls, with pressed copper galleries and hoops. Hand blown glass, the internal mirror is in very good clean conditio...

A larger than the normal witches mirror ball, with a beautiful time worn oxidisation to the interior. Pressed copper gallery and hanging hoop, turn off the century in age. Measure...

A magnificent nearly 250 year old Louis XVI period (1774–1793) hand carved and painted parcel gilt French wall thermometer and barometer signed Carcano. Exquisitely hand-crafted in Paris, France in the second half of the 18th century, exceptionally executed in Neoclassical inspired opulent period King Louis 16th taste. Impressive large size and fine quality craftsmanship, richly detailed, sculpted, polychrome decorated wooden case, surmounted by an ornate carved pineapple topped urn finial, garnished with a single garland swag, over a contoured and rounded solid wood frame creating a most elegant elongated banjo cartel clock silhouette, adorned with brilliant water gilded running ornamentation, outlining the beautifully aged light and airy muted pale green paint finish. Featuring the original hand decorated enamel dial signed Antonio Carcano (1755-1820) a distinguished scientific instrument inventor. The dial is signed: "Jofeph" "Carcano" "Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Denis"  "Fripiere au phenix" Having a hand-blown glass thermometer retaining remnants of the hand-painted paper label inscribed with atmospheric condition details, over an early barometer with hand painted dial and metal hands, protected behind convex glazed glass face. Mechanical: The wooden planked verso is fitted with an open channel that retains the original mechanical components, including a pair of liquid metal mercury filled glass tubes, vacuum mechanism, long column blown glass tube, stringing, and more. It does not appear to be working / operational, the string/rope deteriorating with age, etc.. but having the original parts is an exceptionally rare occurrence and highly unusual, as workings were commonly damaged and lost centuries ago. Dimensions (approx): 43" High, 12" Wide, 2.5" Deep History: Antoine Carcano (c. 1755-1820) An early maker of barometers, thermometers, and an inventor of various scientific instruments. Of Italian descent, he became famous in Paris, first at 37 rue de la Roquette and then at Place Dauphine. He supplied barometers and other scientific instruments to the Ecole Militaire in 1786; the following year he supplied a tube barometer to British optical instruments manufacturer Peter Dollond (1731-1821). During the Empire his clientele included Sir Benjamin Thompson...

An antique English bobbin one hour hourglass sand timer. Crafted from original antique bobbins and spools which were used to wind thread in Victor...

Turned column hourglass. Early 20th century.

Antique 19th century Victorian handblown glass & reverse hand painted pharmacy jar with polished brass cover. Measures: Height: 74cm Width: 33cm.