FV-SC-0009
Collection
Scientific & Curious
Instruments, astronomical and optical apparatus, and objects that resist classification.
How we catalogue it
Instruments are assessed for completeness, originality of finish and whether they still function. The department also holds the objects that belong to no obvious department, which are often the most interesting things in the catalogue.
Instruments · Optical · Uncommon
Currently catalogued01
Buying in this department
What we look for
Completeness, originality of finish, and whether the instrument still does what it was made to do. A telescope without its eyepieces, a microscope without its case and accessories, or a theodolite missing its tripod is a partial object and is described as one.
Lacquer is the usual point of damage. Brass instruments were lacquered when made, and a great many have been stripped and re-lacquered or polished bright. Original lacquer, even dulled and patchy, is worth more than a renewed finish, and we say which an instrument has.
Makers and marks
Signatures, retailers' marks and serial numbers are recorded and photographed. A retailer's name is not a maker's name and we do not conflate the two.
Where an instrument can be dated from its maker's working dates or from a serial sequence, we give the basis for the date rather than just the date.
Worth asking
Is it complete with its case and accessories. Is the lacquer original. Does it function. Is the signature a maker or a retailer. What is the date based on.
Further reading
- How we establish provenance and authenticity sets out what we check before an object is offered, and what we will not claim.
- Shipping and export covers packing, insurance, UK export licensing and import duties.
- Private acquisitions is the route when what you want is not in the catalogue.
- Consignment if you own something in this department and want it catalogued and placed, orsubmit an object for an initial view.