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Very rare Dutch double lens Zograscope, circa 1785
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Very rare Dutch double lens Zograscope, circa 1785
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Very rare double lens zograscope, circa 1785 The zograscope, or "Diagonal Mirror or Optical Pillar Machine", was used in the 18th and early 19th century for creating an illusion of depth when viewing perspective prints. When a print is viewed through the Zograscope, the convex lens seems to enhance the natural perspective of the image to give an almost three dimensional view. The Zograscope consisted of a large shallow convex lens, usually some 110 to 130 millimetres across and of a rectangular mirror, both mounted on an elegant pillar on a circular stand. The viewer would lay down the print on the table whereas the Zograscope would stand between the viewer and the print. The viewer could then view reversed image of the print through the lens in the mirror. Although single lens Zograscopes are far from common, double lens zograscopes are very, very rare indeed. It is said that the second lens of the Zograscope allowed two people to look at a print at the same time and so allowed them the opportunity to engage in an intellectual discussion on the merits of a particular print. The Zograscope offered here is dates to the fourth quarter of the 18th century and is made is of walnut and oak . It is quite a large and elegant device. The circular stand (diameter: 25 cm or 10 inches) supports a beautifully turned pillar. The pillar, which is hollow, houses a wooden rod with a frame (again beatifully turned) that supports both the two convex lenses as well as the two mirrors. Unusually, both lenses are of a different size. The one of the left being slighty larger (15 cm / 5.9 inches) than the one on the right (14 cm / 5.5 inches). The rod containg the frame with the lenses and the mirror can be raised, extending the total height of the Zograscope to ca. 75 cm (c. 30 inches). The total width of the Zograscope is 46 cm / 18 inches. The origin of the Zograscope is probably Holland.Although the Zograscope is in good condition; it is not perfect. The finials which would have stood at the top of the pillars on the left and right of the lenses are damaged and the wooden nuts which covered the screws that attached the frame with the mirror to the two pillars are missing. The frame containing the two lenses has in a distant past been restored. However, most of these blemishes are only cosmetical and the Zograscope could be brought to its former glory quite easily. Shipping is included . Payment through Paypal (but other methods of payment are also possible).. Questions?
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