19th c. Expandable Leather Wrapped Binoculars c.1880

ABOUT This is an original pair of leather wrapped French navy binoculars with a working compass on the end. "Jumelle Marine Paris" (Sailor Twin) is ...

ABOUT This is an original pair of leather wrapped and painted brass field binoculars marked on the eyepiece with "LeMair Fabt Paris". The black metal focus wheel works well and th...

ABOUT This is an original pair of leather wrapped expandable binoculars. "LeMaire Fabt Paris" is embossed on each eyepiece. The lens expand out to sharpen the view. The binoculars a...

About This is an original pair of brass and embossed binoculars by Sportier Paris. Good working order with clear binocular viewing. This piece has retained its original finish. ...

ABOUT An original pair of brass field binoculars wrapped in leather. The objective lenses are clear and their optics are good. The metal focus wheel works well. The piece is in go...

ABOUT An original Victorian optometrist eye testing kit. The interior of the kit is lined in velvet with the name and number of the lenses. The optical tes...

Stamped "Jockey Club Paris"

A masterpiece of both cabinetmaking and mechanical engineering, this one-of-a-kind expanding table was crafted by the renowned cabinetmaker Samuel Hawkins of London for the Great Exhibition of 1851. Diminutive in size, the fascinating table was designed as a model to demonstrate Hawkins’ innovative patent screw movement to visitors of the Exhibition – six million people in total over five months. It was exhibited again a century later at the Victoria & Albert Museum during the Festival of Britain, an event intended “to symbolise two main qualities of the national character: realism and strength on the one hand, and, on the other, independence and imagination” (Catalogue of the Exhibition, 1951, p.117). To this day, the miniature masterpiece demonstrates the quest of English furniture makers to combine technical innovation with superb craftsmanship. Displaying exceptional ingenuity, Hawkins’ wind-out screw mechanism allowed one to extend the table’s base to accommodate concentric leaves with the simple crank of a handle. It is based on the inventive expanding table originally designed by Robert Jupe in 1835, which used a swivel mechanism to separate sections of the tabletop and allow for segmented leaves to be inserted. Hawkins’ tabletop, on the other hand, extends outwards directly from the center in order to accommodate additional leaves around its diameter. This unique design allowed the mechanism to also smoothly operate on rectangular tables, which could be wound out from the middle to allow for more table space. Hawkins was not alone in his endeavor to combine the technical merits of engineering and mechanics with the most artful pursuit of cabinetmaking. The first half of the 19th century saw a prolific increase in the popularity of applying new ideas to traditional furniture principles, which allowed furniture to serve many purposes. The resulting “patent” furniture was practical and refined, though few were as innovative as Hawkins’ prodigious design. Carved with the year of the Exhibition on the beautifully designed pedestal base, the table is a testament to the significance of this innovation. The model is mentioned in detail in the catalog of the Great Exhibition of 1851, the first international exhibition of industry, manufacturing, and science. Held at London’s dazzling Crystal Palace, its visitors were treated to exhibits from around the globe, including feats of engineering, innovations in industry, and marvels of design. Queen Victoria herself was a frequent visitor, along with her husband, Prince Albert, and others including Charlotte...

Mannequin Sculpted and carved wood Italy or France, second half of the 19th century. It measures 25.59 x 6.29 x 3.54 in (65.5 x 16 x 9 cm) It weighs 2.2 lb circa (1 kg circa) St...

Atelier mannequin graven and carved stone pine wood Italy, late 19th century Measures: H 102 cm x 25 cm x 14 cm H 40.15 in x 9.84 in x 5.51 in Weight: circa kg 4 State of conse...

Two-tone leather quirt with fringe drops. Shot filled handle. Period: 19th century Origin: Montana Size: quirt 18" overall with flappers 33" plus wrist wrap.                 Family ...

Acquired in Paris, France. A wonderful early 20th Century spyglass or telescope. Expandable from 6"-16". Small and compact, but opened very nostalgic and decorative. The piece does w...