Microscope de voyage France, vers 1685, attribué à Jean de Pouilly

Une plaque mobile, portant huit diaphragmes pour monter les spécimens à regarder, est portée entre deux platines. Chaque diaphragme peut être aligné avec une lentille sphérique placée sur le côté opposé de l’instrument et protégé par un couvercle pivotant. Les deux platines sont entièrement gravées de feuillages formant des volutes au-dessous d’un masque grotesque. Deux vis à papillon servent respectivement à faire la mise au point de l’instrument et à bloquer la plaque mobile en place (la manche en ivoire d'epoque postérieure).



Two circular plates extended to scrolled ends along one diameter contain a specimen revolver with eight diaphragms for specimens. These are examined through a spherical lens with eye-dish set on one side of the instrument opposite an opening for a diaphragm, protected by a swivelling cover, on the second face of the instrument,. Each side of the instrument is fully engraved with flowing leaf tracery forming volutes descending to a grotesque mask set immediately above the turned support for the (later) ivory handle. Focussing of the instrument is effected by turning a wing-headed screw while a similar wing-nut serves to block the revolver in place.



H. 148mm; D. 42mm.

REFERENCES BIBLIOGRAPHIQUES
M. Fournier, ‘Huygens’ Designs  for a simple Microscope’, Annals of Science, xlvi 1898, 575-96; M. Fournier, Early Microscopes, a descriptive Catalogue, Leyden 2003 no 10.
Raymond V. Giordano, Singular Beauty: simple Microscopes from the Giordano Collection, Cambridge (Ma), 2006, 13-14; A. Turner, ‘Microscopical Advances: the posterity of Huygens’ simple Microscope of 1678’, Endoxa, Series Folosoficas, xix 2005, 41-57.

 

The handle, may has been a 19th Century replacement on the grounds of the ivory being very white. It is also heavier and plainer than those found on other known examples of this instrument. All the magnifying lances are present.
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Cet instrument dérive du microscope simple développé par Christiaan Huygens en 1678-79. Sa  forme et son décor sont très proches de six autres versions signées de Pouilly. De ce fabricant, plusieurs instruments d’une haute qualité, microscopes, pierre aimants, graphomètres et d’autres instruments d’arpentage, ont survécu, tous datant ver 1680 à 1700.

A derivative of the form of simple microscope developed by Christiaan Huygens 1678-9, the form and decorative engraving of this example are close to six known examples signed by Jean de Pouilly and to a further, unsigned, example attributable to him. Although little is known of de Pouilly a dozen or so high-quality instruments - microscopes, lode-stones, surveying instruments – of his manufacture have survived from the period 1680-c.1700.

 See

Marian Fournier, ‘Huygens’ Designs  for a simple Microscope’, Annals of Science , xlvi 1898, 575-96.

Marian Fournier, Early microscopes, a descriptive Catalogue, Leiden 2003 no 10.

Raymond V. Giordano, Singular Beauty: simple Microscopes from the Giordano Collection, Cambridge (Ma), 2006, 13-14

Anthony Turner, ‘Microscopical Advances: the posterity of Huygens’ simple Microscope of 1678’, Endoxa, Series Folosoficas, xix 2005, 41-57.