{"product_id":"antique-cased-aesthesiometer-compass-caliper-instrument-in-red-morocco-case-19th-century","title":"Antique Cased Brass Ophthalmic Instrument with Twin Adjustable Needle Points, 19th Century Optical Tool","description":"\u003cp\u003eA precision brass instrument of unusual form, fitted in its original red morocco case. Two lozenge-shaped brass carriers ride on a slotted frame, each locked by its own knurled thumbscrew, and each carries a fine steel needle point at either end so that the opposed points can be set to a precise separation and held there. The whole thing is tiny, beautifully made, and adjustable to a hair.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe instrument comes from the eye trade. Instruments of this pattern were used at the optician's bench for setting and marking the optical centres on a pair of spectacle lenses, and for the fine measuring work that went with fitting and glazing frames, where a repeatable separation between two scribed points was what mattered. The fitted case is of the kind supplied with ophthalmic and optical bench instruments rather than with surgical sets.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSold as a cased antique instrument. We have not been able to tie it to a particular maker or catalogue number, and we would be glad to hear from a buyer who can place it exactly.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Exquisite Dark Curio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":68169904750746,"sku":"EDC-776","price":245.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0704\/6450\/3962\/files\/EDC-776-1.jpg?v=1794361261","url":"https:\/\/exquisitedarkcurio.com\/products\/antique-cased-aesthesiometer-compass-caliper-instrument-in-red-morocco-case-19th-century","provider":"Exquisite Dark Curio","version":"1.0","type":"link"}