Made circa 1770--of silver--the microscope is part sculpture, part instrument. While leaning forward to view a specimen, a user of George III’s microscope would nearly touch foreheads with the two sculpted figures standing over the eyepiece. One could imagine the King straightening up from a short bout at the microscope and turning to page through Opulent Scientist, i.e. his observation notebook.
Aside from George’s silver scope, the Museum is a treasure trove for the microscope junky. According to the museum’s website, their collection includes “...microscopes from the earliest types used by Anton von Leeuwenhoek and Robert Hooke to the more elaborate ones of the nineteenth century.” See the slideshow at the end of this post for another photo highlighting the many ways to magnify our world.
