Victorian Alabaster Peep Egg Matlock Bath Souvenir Optical Toy

If like us you are intrigued by 19th century optical devices and cabinet curios...this is the item for you! We absolutely love these magical little viewers, scarce to find but when you do you are instantly taken back to the awe and wonder that you experience as a young child.

These small optical viewer were made in the 19th century between 1830s to 1870s when Victorians loved quirky novelties. These solid turned alabaster optical curios were produced as a souvenirs from Victorian spa Resorts and seaside destinations. You simply look through the magnified glass viewer to the top to see scenes within . The scenes could be printed, or albumen scenes very often also containing a tiny Grotto concoction made of local sand, rocks and mineral specimens (Spar work). The hand turned, hand painted Alabaster was usually English alabaster, which is actually mined Gypsum. The most likely place of production of the Alabaster for these optical ornaments was Chellaston in Derbyshire. Where Alabaster had been mined since medieval times for the production of ecclesiastical statuary such as tombs and monuments. This viewer was specifically made from alabaster because of the stones opaque properties. You see it lets through light, the optical effect can be intensified by holding the viewer next to a bright light or candle. What fun???

As you can see from the pretty hand painted decoration to the front, our peep egg was purchased from the popular Derbyshire tourist hot spot called The Heights of Abraham in Matlock. This little town situated within a deep limestone valley was famous for its hydro and spa treatments. Matlock Bath was popular from the 1600s. It was patronized by royalty and Lord Byron, the famous poet called it ‘Little Switzerland’ due to its magnificent hillside setting and breath taking views. The Heights of Abraham is a park with natural caves and mines. It was named because of its resemblance to the Heights of Abraham, in Quebec, Canada, where General James Wolfe died in battle against the French in 1759.

This items is beautifully made from soft, tactile alabaster. The front is hand painted with flowers and an inscription 'From the Heights of Abraham Matlock'. This egg shaped optical viewer consists of a top glass viewing lens. If you hold the egg to the light and look through the translucent alabaster, you will see a photographic image of Matlock and the heights in the background surrounded by a very pretty grotto of tiny little mineral specimens.

Measuring just under 3" high by 2 " at its widest point (8 cm by 5 cm).

Condition - Offered in very good, sound and perfect working condition. The alabaster is a little darkened with age, we have not cleaned it, with a few age scuffs.

Ref: With thanks to The Magic Lantern Society's very informative article of this subject named Spar Ornaments Views: The History of The Peep Egg by Robert Macdonald.

Item id:14588