Composite microscope

The microscope contributed to the scientific revolution of the 16th century by enabling the observation of the infinitely small. This beautiful and remarkably finely crafted instrument belonged to Michel Ferdinand d’Albert d’Ailly, Duke of Chaulnes. A physicist and member of the Académie Royale des Sciences, the Duke of Chaulnes made two major additions to the instrument to enable more precise observation: a point micrometer and a micrometrically movable stage. The optician Alexis Magny and the bronze founder Philippe Caffieri made this microscope for him around 1751. Charles Chevalier modified its optical components in the 19th century. Its original magnification is estimated at between 150 and 250.