Hand-Painted Scientific Instruments

This is decorative and doesn't function. Circular glass covered dial with directional and grisaille painted dial. The crest featuring a pair of birds often associated with marriage. ...

Model of the worker bee (Apis mellifica) magnified 35 times, mounted on foot. One side shows the outer shape, the other the inner constitution and viscera that can be removed.This la...

Antique French Barometer and Thermometer purchased from Bourgeois located at 27 Rue Des Pyramides in Paris and just a couple of blocks from the Louvre. The Antique French Barometer m...

Barometer, Thermometer, Louis XV period Barometer, Thermometer, system of Reaumur, in its original gilding and its green color strewn with flowers of origin, Louis XV period, ...

A fabulous French gold-gilt barometer from the beginning of the 19th century. This early instrument of meteorology has been adorned with an extraordinary wreath crest with highly car...

Also known as “the miraculous mirror”, this optical device consists of a cylindrical pewter mirror that restores to its normal proportions an image distorted by the art of anamorphosis. Constructed in pine with its original untouched ebonised and gilt Japanned decoration, along with its original cast pewter mirror, (small loss to bases decorative turned edge) This example is together with 3 hand painted images on paper backed onto a mahogany support, subjects are a greyhound, Ram and a finely dressed Gentlemen. Anamorphic paintings that require cylindrical mirrors to view, were popular in both Europe and the Orient in the 17th and 18th centuries. After the 1745 Jacobite rebellion in Scotland, images showing the likeness of the Young Pretender (Bonnie Prince Charlie...

Pair 19th C. French Porcelain Cactus Motif Apothecary Jars by E.Renault Paris France, Mid to Late 19th century, probably made for the Mexican Market ...

Didactical Human Muscles Torso in polychromed plaster -1900.

American Terrestrial Brass Meridian Globe mounted on a turned bulbous gilt ringed and red stenciled tripod stand, Gilman Joslin, Boston. Mid 19th Century Globe is 39" Tall / 16" Diam...

A French Porcelaine de Paris mortar and pestle from the 20th century, hand-painted with coat of arms and floral motifs. Created in France during the 20th century, this porcelain mort...

Pair of grand 19th century Franch Glass Eglomise Apothecary jars with lids. Each measures: 14 x 14 x 35 Each Weighs: 30 lbs.  

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...