Le Praxinoscope
circa 1890
Praxinoscope or wheel of life, with 7 coloured designs and candle holder, on a wooden table stand.
Invented by the French artist, Emile Reynaud (1844-1918) in 1877, the Praxinoscope is a simple scientific toy that makes still pictures come to life. It does not project light - it reflects it. The lamp is surrounded by a ring of pictures, showing an object at different stages of movement. The pictures face inwards, and opposite each one is a mirror. By turning a handle, the ring of pictures revolve and, if made to revolve fast enough, the separate reflections in each mirror appear to merge, giving the appearance of movement.
circa 1890
circa 1890
c. 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890