11,241  PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY 36  ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAY NEW ARRIVALS
ID #SA1219629
FOR SALE
£2,950
Email
Save
18th Century Mahogany and Brass Telescope by Nairne & Blunt of London
Martlesham Antiques
for sale €3,452     $3,747
£2,950

Martlesham Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jan 2008
View Dealers Stock Page
  • Trade Associations
    Martlesham Antiques is a registered member of LAPADA 
Id #SA1219629
PDF SHARE
SAVE

18th Century Mahogany and Brass Telescope by Nairne & Blunt of London

18th century
Description

18th Century mahogany and brass telescope by Nairne & Blunt of London, having a mahogany barrel with a thumb wheel to the side of the main barrel, supported on a solid brass tripod stand with cabriole legs, the mount allows the mahogany barrel to move in both horizontal and vertical motions. Signed Nairne & Blunt London. Circa 1780.

Nairne & Blunt traded at 20 Cornhill, opposite the Royal Exchange (1774-93), London, England. Partnership with Thomas Blunt (1774-93), former apprentice.

31” x 3” x 20 1/2” high

79cms x 8cms x 52cms high

Physical Dimensions
Height
52cm (20.47")
Width
79cm (31.10")
Depth
8cm (3.15")
Declaration

Martlesham Antiques has dated this Antique Brass Mahogany Telescope to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1219629
Dealers Internal Reference
3519
Dealers Notes

Free shipping within mainland UK

We ship worldwide, please email for a shipping quote.

Martlesham Antiques is a family run business and has been trading since 1984. Located in Suffolk just outside Woodbridge, Martlesham Antiques is run from a spacious thatched cottage housing nine large showrooms with a vast adjacent car park.

Specialising in 18th and 19th Century furniture, together with creating custom hand-made furniture which is supplied to various interior designers, trade and the retail market. Every piece on the showroom floor is in excellent condition and ready to go straight into the buyers home or premises.

All of Martlesham Antiques furniture is hand polished by their own French polishers and restorers to a very high standard. We are also a member of LAPADA, the association of art and antiques.

Description
18th Century mahogany and brass telescope by Nairne & Blunt of London, having a mahogany barrel with a thumb wheel to the side of the main barrel, supported on a solid brass tripod stand with cabriole legs, the mount allows the mahogany barrel to move in both horizontal and vertical motions. Signed Nairne & Blunt London. Circa 1780.
fig 1. An 18th-century mahogany barrel telescope mounted on an adjustable brass column with a folding tripod base.
fig 1. 18th Century Mahogany and Brass Telescope by Nairne & Blunt of London

Nairne & Blunt traded at 20 Cornhill, opposite the Royal Exchange (1774-93), London, England. Partnership with Thomas Blunt (1774-93), former apprentice.

31” x 3” x 20 1/2” high

79cms x 8cms x 52cms high

Height
52cm (20.47")
Width
79cm (31.10")
Depth
8cm (3.15")
Date of Manufacture

Martlesham Antiques has dated this Antique Brass Mahogany Telescope to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1219629
Dealers Internal Ref
3519
Martlesham Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jan 2008
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Martlesham Antiques Profile Page

Trade Associations

Martlesham Antiques is a registered member of LAPADA 

PDF SHARE
SAVE
An 18th-century mahogany barrel telescope mounted on an adjustable brass column with a folding tripod base.
1 / 14
Archive I An 18th-century mahogany barrel telescope mounted on an adjustable brass column with a folding tripod base.

18th Century Mahogany and Brass Telescope by Nairne & Blunt of London

Archive II An 18th-century mahogany barrel telescope mounted on an adjustable brass column with a folding tripod base. View II
Archive III An 18th-century mahogany barrel telescope mounted on an adjustable brass column with a folding tripod base. View III
Archive IV An 18th-century mahogany barrel telescope mounted on an adjustable brass column with a folding tripod base. View IV
Archive V An 18th-century mahogany barrel telescope mounted on an adjustable brass column with a folding tripod base. View V
Archive VI An 18th-century mahogany barrel telescope mounted on an adjustable brass column with a folding tripod base. View VI
Archive VII An 18th-century mahogany barrel telescope mounted on an adjustable brass column with a folding tripod base. View VII
Archive VIII An 18th-century mahogany barrel telescope mounted on an adjustable brass column with a folding tripod base. View VIII
Archive IX An 18th-century mahogany barrel telescope mounted on an adjustable brass column with a folding tripod base. View IX
Archive X An 18th-century mahogany barrel telescope mounted on an adjustable brass column with a folding tripod base. View X
Archive XI An 18th-century mahogany barrel telescope mounted on an adjustable brass column with a folding tripod base. View XI
Archive XII An 18th-century mahogany barrel telescope mounted on an adjustable brass column with a folding tripod base. View XII
Archive XIII An 18th-century mahogany barrel telescope mounted on an adjustable brass column with a folding tripod base. View XIII
Archive XIV An 18th-century mahogany barrel telescope mounted on an adjustable brass column with a folding tripod base. View XIV
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 01394 386732
Location
The Thatched Roadhouse
Main Rd
Martlesham
Suffolk
IP12 4RJ
United Kingdom
Verified Since Jan 2008
Items For Sale 304
Items Sold 2,206
Martlesham Antiques
Verified Since Jan 2008
View Dealer Info
Location: The Thatched Roadhouse, Main Rd, Martlesham, Suffolk, IP12 4RJ, United Kingdom
Verified
Jan 2008
For Sale
304
Sold
2,206
An 18th-century mahogany barrel telescope mounted on an adjustable brass column with a folding tripod base.
18th Century mahogany and brass telescope by Nairne & Blunt of London
Ref: SA1219629
An 18th-century mahogany barrel telescope mounted on an adjustable brass column with a folding tripod base.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Detail View 8
Detail View 9
Detail View 10
Detail View 11
Detail View 12
Detail View 13
Archival Detail
Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

An 18th-century desktop telescope is an optical refractor instrument designed during the Georgian era for observational use in private libraries, study rooms, or maritime settings. Mounted on short brass tripod bases, these instruments reflected the Enlightenment eras focus on scientific inquiry and precision engineering.

Georgian telescopes were typically constructed with main barrels formed from polished mahogany, fruitwood, or leather-wrapped brass, housing optical glass lenses. The functional fittings, draw tubes, and supporting tripod stands were expertly cast and turned in solid brass.

Authentic pieces from this period often display hand-engraved maker signatures near the eyepiece, original threaded brass components, and natural wear or patination on the wood and metal. Additionally, period-correct optical construction relies on non-achromatic or early achromatic lens doublets secured in brass collars without modern screws.

A brass tabletop telescope functions exceptionally well as a sculptural focus on a dark wood executive desk, deep window sill, or low bookshelf. Pairing the instrument with leather-bound books, antique globes, or architectural drawings enhances a sophisticated, classic aesthetic.

Maintain the mahogany barrel by applying microcrystalline wax with a soft cloth to protect the finish and prevent drying. Brass fittings should not be aggressively polished with chemical cleaners to preserve the historic patina, and glass lenses should only be dusted with a clean, dry optical microfibre cloth.
items
Add keywords to the filter
Price
£100
£250000
Era
Movements
Material
Origin
Stock Location
Freshness
Online Payments
Categories