This curious optical viewfinder serves to see what happens to discreetly sides. It has a mirror system that lets you see so sneaky, what happens to izquieda or right of the observer. Depending on which side is observed things that are at an angle of 90 ° or 45 ° will be. Elegantly finished in wood and bronze and original box. Very good condition, hardly used. 80s.
Polemoscopio manufactured by house Van Cort made of wood and brass, measuring approximately 8,9x2,5x5
The peculiarity of this little contraption is that we lets you see objects that are hidden from our direct view . The main part of this instrument is an inclined mirror, which sends to the eye of the viewer image of the object, either directly or reflected in another mirror located elsewhere on the structure.
This kind of products, also known as " jelousy glass" was invented by the German-Polish astronomer Hevelius in 1637 . Hevelius believed at first that his invention could have military use (hence the name, which refers to the word" war" in Greek: polemos).
As can be seen in the superior engraving, this contraption made on a larger scale could be used to control the enemy and directing artillery fire, but the angle was too narrow and the invention was adopted new uses
During S XVIII product became popular as a device to observe others discreetly . in fact, it was common for people to take polemoscopio to places like opera, but not to see the show but to look furtively to other viewers. < / font>
This type of optical objects evolved and personalizing somehow , as shown in these examples: a polemoscopio which included a compass on the top and a manicure set for men inside and another designed for the female audience, which included a pillbox under the lid and . mini perfume bottle
