Telescope
1680 - 1700 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
An understanding of astronomy and the natural sciences was a key part of a gentleman's education, but this telescope was in reality an expensive toy. Ivory was a rare and costly material. The decoration, with inset points of brass and silver, known as piqué work, was often used on fashionable snuffboxes and cutlery.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 4 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Ivory with brass and silver pique work |
| Brief description | English, circa 1680-1700. Ivory decorated with brass and silver pique work in an arabesque pattern. |
| Physical description | Tubular made in three sliding sections lined with copper or pewter. The decoration consists of turned mouldings and an inlaid design of running foliage executed in minute silver rings picked out with dots of green stained bone. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Production type | Unique |
| Gallery label | UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL
Before modern transport people largely travelled on foot or on horseback. Useful everyday items needed to be carried comfortably on the body. Some were miniature versions of larger objects, others folded ingeniously to become portable. Often they were intricate and delicate.
These eleven items were personal possessions. Many were made before pockets were commonplace. Some were used in the workplace, some at home and some on the road.
Many have cases as stylish as the objects they protect. These cases came in a range of materials, from expensive ivory and sharkskin to cheaper leather and wood. Their decoration shows the same designs that adorn silver, ceramics and textiles.
All these objects give us interesting insights into work, leisure and social etiquette.
6 TELESCOPE
Ivory, brass and silver piqué work
England, about 1700
An understanding of astronomy and the natural sciences was a key part of a gentleman's education, but this telescope was in reality an expensive toy. Ivory was a rare and costly material. The decoration, with inset points of brass and silver, known as piqué work, was often used on fashionable snuffboxes and cutlery.
Griffin Bequest
Museum no. M.242-1960 |
| Credit line | Griffin Bequest |
| Summary | An understanding of astronomy and the natural sciences was a key part of a gentleman's education, but this telescope was in reality an expensive toy. Ivory was a rare and costly material. The decoration, with inset points of brass and silver, known as piqué work, was often used on fashionable snuffboxes and cutlery. |
| Bibliographic reference | Talbot, Stuart. Ivory telescopes: perspicillum: Anno 1608-1720. Bulletin of the Scientific Instrument Society, June 2008, no. 97, pp. 2-12. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.242:1-1960 |
About this object record
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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