CLAUDE SIMEON PASSEMANT (1702-1769), attributed to - Lot 122

Lot 122
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Estimation :
5500 - 6000 EUR
CLAUDE SIMEON PASSEMANT (1702-1769), attributed to - Lot 122
CLAUDE SIMEON PASSEMANT (1702-1769), attributed to Microscope composed of an oak box protecting a double mercury mirror tiltable by two wheels. The top of the box has a light moderator with 4 holes of different diameters, a specimen holder, a handling clamp, and a third place for a condenser (missing). The body of the microscope is made of brass with 3 lenses and bears the signature " PASFEMANT AU LOUVRE ". Eighteenth century, circa 1750 - 1769 Height 27 - Width 10 cm (scratches and missing) Note : A brief description of this type of microscope exists in the book "Description et Usage des Télescopes, Microscopes, Ouvrages et Inventions de Passemant Ingénieur du Roi, au Louvre, à Paris", page 50. But few examples have been studied to date. A model of a box microscope signed "PASSEMANT" exists in the Golub collection in Berkley (number 129) and is described in Alain Stenger's book. A second model is attributed to Passemant in Alain Stenger's book. Our model differs from the existing models by its mounting without plating, its opening on the plate, its sample holder and the brass microscope body. Thus the model presented is a second type of box microscope attributed to Passemant and seems very different from those known until now. Biography: Claude Siméon Passemant (1702-1769) was the son of a tailor. At the age of fourteen, he became fascinated with astronomy after reading Nicolas Bion's book "Usage des globes célestes et terrestres". After his studies he began a career in law, which he quickly abandoned to open a haberdashery while continuing his passion for science. In 1733, he left his business to his wife Marie-Louise Olivier to devote himself to his passion. Advised by Cassini and Julien Le Roy, Passemant studied optics, clock-making and mechanisms. After the development of the first large French reflecting telescope, he designed in 1749 the astronomical clock of the king in Versailles in collaboration with Antoine Dauthiau. In 1750 Passemant became the King's engineer with a pension of 1000 francs. Following this appointment, Passemant moved from the Mint to the Louvre. After 1750, his creations bear the mention "Au Louvre" which he affixed to telescopes, microscopes, sundials, barometers, and physics instruments that were successful in the courts and cabinets of the Academy of Sciences until his death in 1769. After his death his daughters continued the business with his brother-in-law Olivier by producing porcelain barometers under the name Passemant in partnership with Nicollet. He was responsible for a large number of creations such as the king's clock at Versailles, the Marigny microscope, the 6-inch telescope of 1751 of the royal castle of Bellevue, a compact telescope, a pocket microscope. He met John Cuff in 1755, and proposed a mechanism for the coronelli globes of the king. His creations remain a guarantee of high quality and are still appreciated by collectors.
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