|
Wordsworth enjoyed viewing the daffodils fluttering and dancing in the breeze. Some of his more scientifically minded friends would have picked the flowers instead! How that would have annoyed the Lake District National Park rangers had they existed. This 19th century bell-shaped specimen viewer was for marvelling at the wonders of nature under magnification, but in fact it probably spent most of its life as a bit of an unobserved wall flower. It was an attractive brass and glass item for decorative display in a gentleman's study rather than a device for any serious botanical investigation of flora and fauna. Indeed this one has had dried flowers (plus some shells and a locust) inserted, making it, in effect, a see-through vase.
The optical properties of this scientific instrument are nothing to shout about. The maker probably knew how seldom the object was likely to be used for its intended purpose. Its owner would pay just an occasional glance at some enlarged petals, possibly identify a stamen or two and then discard it for the latest novelty device on the market. The important thing was to be seen to be part of the widening scientific revolution. One of these, as much as a polished microscope, a globe and a bulging library shelf of unthumbed books helped cultivate the image of a gentleman of learning. Practical experience of using the equipment was very much a secondary consideration when it came to making the purchase.
Today, plastic versions of this are marketed as children's toys but we shouldn't perhaps belittle the importance of a mere toy in sparking a lifelong interest and spirit of enquiry. Linnaeus and Dampier must have started somehow.
See an early 19th century botanist in action on one of our antique prints by following this link