Chest microscope formerly owned by Pope Benedict XIV

Chest microscope formerly owned by Pope Benedict XIV Chest microscope formerly owned by Pope Benedict XIV Chest microscope formerly owned by Pope Benedict XIV Chest microscope formerly owned by Pope Benedict XIV Chest microscope formerly owned by Pope Benedict XIV

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Chest microscope, very ornate, formerly owned by Pope Benedict XIV (1675-1758)

The high level of decoration reflects the status of this microscope’s former owner, Pope Benedict XIV. This is an example of a chest microscope, which were popular from the mid 1700s and throughout the 1800s. The microscope folds into the chest, which protects the tube as well as making the microscope portable – although this is quite a large example, measuring 395 mm high and 215 mm in width. The lenses are also adjustable in height. The top lens is protected by a brass cover and there is a drawer to store slides.

Details

Category:
Microscopy (Wellcome)
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A56294
Materials:
body tube, shagreen, body tube, ivory, body tube, lignum vitae, pillar, brass, stage, brass, feet, brass, base, walnut and base, boxwood, inlay
Measurements:
overall: 395 mm x 225 mm x 178 mm, 1.823 kg
type:
microscope
credit:
Wellcome Trust (Purchased from Stevens)

Parts

Chest microscope formerly owned by Pope Benedict XIV

Chest microscope formerly owned by Pope Benedict XIV

Chest microscope, very ornate, formerly owned by Pope Benedict XIV (1675-1758)

More

The high level of decoration reflects the status of this microscope’s former owner, Pope Benedict XIV. This is an example of a chest microscope, which were popular from the mid 1700s and throughout the 1800s. The microscope folds into the chest, which protects the tube as well as making the microscope portable – although this is quite a large example, measuring 395 mm high and 215 mm in width. The lenses are also adjustable in height. The top lens is protected by a brass cover and there is a drawer to store slides.

Measurements:
overall: 395 mm x 225 mm x 178 mm, 1.823 kg
Materials:
body tube, shagreen , body tube, ivory , body tube, lignum vitae , pillar, brass , stage, brass , feet, brass , base, walnut and base, boxwood, inlay
Object Number:
A56294/1
type:
microscope
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Wheel for chest microscope formerly owned by Pope Benedict XIV

Wheel for chest microscope formerly owned by Pope Benedict XIV

Circular wheel with pointed decoration, part of chest microscope, very ornate, formerly owned by Pope Benedict XIV (1675-1758)

Materials:
brass (copper, zinc alloy)
Object Number:
A56294/2
type:
component
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum