This is a great piece, a Victorian kaleidoscope.It is cylindrical in shape tapering up to the eye piece.The wooden casing is mahogany.

It measures 22cm h x 8cm w at the base.

It works by shaking the piece and different patterns appear.

The kaleidoscope was invented in 1816 by a Scottish scientist called Sir David Brewster. He patented his invention in 1817 and named it 'kaleidoscope' after three Greek words: 'kalos', meaning 'beautiful', 'eidos', meaning 'form' and 'scopos', meaning watcher.

Date of Manufacture

Opus Antiques has dated this Antique Treen Wooden Kaleidoscope to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1242600

Dealers Notes

Own a piece of history

Description

This is a great piece, a Victorian kaleidoscope.It is cylindrical in shape tapering up to the eye piece.The wooden casing is mahogany.

It measures 22cm h x 8cm w at the base.

It works by shaking the piece and different patterns appear.

The kaleidoscope was invented in 1816 by a Scottish scientist called Sir David Brewster.

“

He patented his invention in 1817 and named it 'kaleidoscope' after three Greek words: 'kalos', meaning 'beautiful', 'eidos', meaning 'form' and 'scopos', meaning watcher.

Opus Antiques

Date of Manufacture

Opus Antiques has dated this Antique Treen Wooden Kaleidoscope to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA1242600

About the Dealer

Opus Antiques

Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2014

Antique treen, boxes & decorative georgian items

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An upright turned dark mahogany wooden kaleidoscope with a tapered conical body and rounded moulded borders.

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Archive I

Antique Treen Kaleidoscope

Archive II

An upright turned dark mahogany wooden kaleidoscope with a tapered conical body and rounded moulded borders. View II

Archive III

An upright turned dark mahogany wooden kaleidoscope with a tapered conical body and rounded moulded borders. View III

Archive IV

An upright turned dark mahogany wooden kaleidoscope with a tapered conical body and rounded moulded borders. View IV

Archive V

An upright turned dark mahogany wooden kaleidoscope with a tapered conical body and rounded moulded borders. View V

Archive VI

An upright turned dark mahogany wooden kaleidoscope with a tapered conical body and rounded moulded borders. View VI

Opus Antiques

Telephone 07941 285 532

Location

North Devon
United Kingdom

Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/opusantiques

Verified Since Oct 2014

Items For Sale 98

Items Sold 2,403

Email Opus Antiques

Antique Treen kaleidoscope

Ref: SA1242600

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing

ObjectOptical Devices
Period19th century
StyleVictorian
MaterialMahogany, Glass
ColourMahogany Brown
MotifsTurned wood barrel, Tapered cylinder, Moulded rims

FAQs

A treen kaleidoscope is an optical device housed within a body turned from a single piece or section of timber, popular during the nineteenth century as both a scientific novelty and an parlour entertainment object.

These items were produced using a lathe to turn dense hardwoods such as mahogany or rosewood into a tapered cylinder, incorporating internal mirrors and a cell filled with glass fragments at the far end.

Authentic pieces display hand-turned precision, natural patina in the wood grain, period-correct glass optics, and smooth surface wear consistent with historical handling around the eyepiece and base.

This object functions as a decorative tabletop curiosity, suitable for arrangement alongside books, framed prints, or brass scientific instruments on a desk, shelf, or console table.

Maintain the timber by dusting with a soft, lint-free cloth and applying microcrystalline wax sparingly, keeping the piece away from direct heat sources and excessive moisture to prevent warping.