S/903 19th Century Coquilla Nut Dredger with Stanhope

A finely carved coquilla nut dredger in three sections, having a viewing stanhope of Saint Sophia in Istanbul at the top.

Stanhopes are optical devices that enable the viewing of microphotographs without having to use a microscope. They were invented by a Frenchman, Rene Dagrun, in 1857. Many different artifacts were made and he exhibited them at the International Exhibition in Paris in 1859, from that time they became very popular.

Sold 4¾ in. (12 cm.) High
1¾ in. (4.5 cm.) Diameter French Circa 1880