2-mirror 36° kaleidoscope
Date: circa 1873
Inventory Number: 1997-1-1465
Classification: Kaleidoscope
Dimensions:34 x 22 x 29 cm (13 3/8 x 8 11/16 x 11 7/16 in.)
Description:
The main cylinder on this instrument is made of cardboard covered in a black crackle-finish leatherette.
There is a cardboard eyepiece at one end. It secures an aperture stop and a square cover glass over the end of the inner tube with the mirrors.
There are two mirrors of thick greenish glass (about 5/16 inch thick) with rear surface silvering. The third side of the triangle formed by the mirrors is made of wood. The mirrors are held together by twine. The image formed is a mandala of 5 points and the measured angle between the mirrors is 36°.
The cell or chamber box at the far end of the tube is made of brass and can be turned by means of 6 brass spokes. The chamber houses colored and twisted canes of lampworked glass and colored, liquid-filled phials.
The instrument is supported by a turned wooden pedestal mounted on a tripod base.
There is a white dot on the upper part of the stand, which signifies this instrument was used at Radcliffe College.