Large Scioptric Ball

Unsold

Estimate
€8,000 – 12,000

This item is subject to margin scheme taxation and the premium is 24% if it remains in the EU. For shipments to a third country (outside the EU), the premium is 20%.

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Condition

B+

Manufacture Year

c.1870

Product number

AI_10_15781

Large turned mahogany Scioptric Ball or "Ox-Eye". The ball approx. 10cm in diameter mounted in a collar approx. 19cm in diameter. Focal length approx.135cm. This was an improvement of the camera obscura lens. Mounted in the side of a darkened room or tent the lens could be moved around in its socket to project an upside-down and reversed image on the opposite wall. An unusually large and rare example of pre-photography. Illustrated in: "The History of Photography as seen through the Spira Collection", page 11