Kaleidoscope - 1850-1900

Rare Salon Kaleidoscope from the 19th Century “Diableries & Fantasmagorie” – Circa 1880/1900

Description:
Superb and rare antique drawing-room kaleidoscope from the late 19th/early 20th century (Belle Époque). This collectible optical toy is completely original and functional.

The rigid cylindrical cardboard tube is clad in a stunning night-blue lithographed paper, featuring rare and sought-after fantastical and satirical imagery on the theme of the “Diableries”: horned devils, skeletal horsemen (Danse Macabre), Medusa head (Gorgone), satyrs, and cabaret scenes.

Technical characteristics and condition:

Mechanism: Traditional model with a fixed object chamber. The geometric patterns change as the entire tube is spun.

Optics: Interior preserves superb freshness. The mirror system in an equilateral triangle is perfectly aligned, offering geometric rosettes of great clarity. The chamber contains older glass elements worked, blown, and colored (yellow, red, translucent).

Materials: Structure in strong cardboard, original oculus in cut cardboard illustrated with a figure holding an umbrella. Ground glass objective set. No plastic parts.

Condition: Good overall aesthetic condition with authentic patina. There are signs of wear and minor cracks along the edges of the cardboard, expected for an object over 120 years old, but the lithographed paper is very well preserved and the colors remain vivid.