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Flea-glass telescope
This instrument, which is made of bone, unscrews into six parts which can be assembled into different optical instruments. It can be used as a telescope, but when the barrel is unscrewed a simple microscope, or flea-glass, is also revealed. Using this, a specimen stuck on the pin can be viewed through the small lens.
The other accessories include a sun lens and a multiplying lens, which creates multiple images of the object viewed. This type of multi-purpose object was common around 1700.
The other accessories include a sun lens and a multiplying lens, which creates multiple images of the object viewed. This type of multi-purpose object was common around 1700.
For more information about using images from our Collection, please contact RMG Images.
Object Details
| ID: | NAV1555 |
|---|---|
| Collection: | Astronomical and navigational instruments |
| Type: | Flea-glass telescope |
| Display location: | Not on display |
| Creator: | Unknown |
| Date made: | circa 1700 |
| Credit: | National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Caird Collection |
| Measurements: | Length: 132 mm (assembled); Diameter: 33 mm (max), 21 mm (min) |
| Parts: | Flea-glass telescope |