Culpeper Type Microscope in Case with Accessories

Culpeper type microscope, in case with drawer of accessories, early 19th century. The microscope stands on a circular base. The circular stage is carried by scrolled supports and has a central aperture for illumination by transmitted light. Three additional scrolled supports rise from the stage to carry the main tube and eyepiece. The mirror is separate and sits in the accessories drawer. Microscopes such as this are derived from the instruments of the eighteenth century made by Edmund Culpeper (1670-1737) and his contemporaries. Contained in a pyramidal mahogany case that has a carrying handle and a door with a locking mechanism, with accessories drawer that slides out of the case's lower compartment. The accessories are two objectives, a spring stage, an ivory talc box, stage forceps on a shaft with an ivory disk at one end, three ivory sliders with various plant and insect specimens and a grey feather.