1862 Pontioscopio * Large, Heavily Carved Stereographoscope
$3,500.00
Ships Worldwide.
Manufactured in the early 1860’s by Venetian optician and photographer Carlo Ponti, the large and lavish Pontioscopio is one of the most formidable stereo-graphoscopes ever made.
It’s also one of the most ornate.
The viewer’s base, standard, back and riser are all carved in a manner that not only puts form on par with function but also underscores the status of the Pontioscopio as a major mid-19th-century optical achievement, incorporating into its design glass elements that at the time were some of the most advanced lenses being made.
Though Ponti is perhaps best known for his Megalethascope, an enormous viewer that — using a combination of lenses, mirrors and light flaps — imbued stereoscopic qualities to monoscopic images, the Pontioscopio is by far the more uncommon of the two viewers. It’s also the more versatile of the two, with the ability to view stereocards and stereoslides as well as large albumen prints.
Condition of this Pontioscopio is very good throughout, and it’s entirely original, with no restoration and no repairs. Normal signs of age and use, but no evidence of neglect or abuse. Clean, clear lenses; realistic stereo presentation; and the large graphoscope lens successfully renders 2-dimensional images in crisp detail.
Measures approximately 22″ long x 14″ wide x 25″ high when erect (including graphoscope lens) or 22″ x 14″ x 5″ when folded down (including graphoscope lens).
An amazing apparatus that will likely be the focal of any room in which it’s placed.
SOLD
