Objects & Instruments Tagged "Gifts"

£750.00

An attractive mid-19th century Chinese pharmacy sign advertising deer musk and turtle-based medications. The wooden sign is carved and lacquered in red and black, and features the original, decorative iron handle.
China, [circa 1850].

Carved wooden hanging sign (67 x 16 cm). Lacquered and with the original decorative iron handle. Some wear, particularly at the ends and sides, and peeling of the lacquer across the face, some rusting of the iron handle which is still strong.

£25.00

An attractive glass apothecary bottle in a wooden traveling case, both dating to the late Victorian period.
Glass apothecary bottle with glass stopper in wooden case, unsigned, circa 1890s. 90 mm in height, 20 mm in diameter. Excellent condition.

£50.00

A set of three handsome late-Victorian or Edwardian glass apothecary bottles with red frosted labels. The labels indicate that these bottles stored nitric acid and hydrochloric acid.
3 late-Victorian or Edwardian glass apothecary bottles with red frosted labels. Each bottle approximately half a litre and 175 mm in height. Slight burn damage to labels of two jars. Excellent condition.

£375.00

A very attractive diptych sundial and compass probably produced by the German craftsman David Beringer. Previously sundials of this type had been made in engraved ivory or metal as luxury items, but Beringer was one of the first compass makers to realise that using wood and printed paper would bring the price down and widen the market. His workshop flourished between about 1777 and his death in 1821, and his name became synonymous with portable wooden diptych and cube sundials. Like this example, many of his pieces were made for the international market or for travelers who would need to use the sundial at different latitudes. The gnomen string can be adjusted for latitudes between 40 and 54, and a list on the lid gives the latitudes for 48 cities, including London, Dublin, Prague, Paris, Florence, Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Berlin, as well as New York City. This is a very nice, entirely original, and fully functional example of this ephemeral make of sundial.
Diptych sundial and compass. Unsigned but probably by Beringer, late 18th or very early 19th century. Fruitwood and printed paper, 45 x 70 mm. Paper on the lid just a little dulled and rubbed, interior paper slightly faded, a little rubbing, superficial cracks along the base, a little dust within the compass. Original string gnomen, latches, and compass needle and glass. Very good condition.

£30.00

An attractive 1960s Salter scale for weighing letters and calculating correct postage. The letter was attached by the clip at the bottom, which pulled on a spring to move the pointer and indicate the number of ounces. Postage rates are listed on the back.
Salter, 1960s. 110 x 25 mm. Spring letter scale in excellent working condition with some mild toning to the price list on the rear.

£500.00

A lovely Art Nouveau desk seal in carved boxwood depicting a bouquet of flowers.
Carved boxwood desk seal, circa 1900. 850 x 350mm. No monogram or device to the base. A couple of very minor nicks in the wood, slight wear at the base. Excellent condition.

Objects & Instruments