The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700
Venetian Lanthorn [ARK00081]
Attached People: Collector (major) - Bargrave, John (1610-1680)Location(s): Current location at - Canterbury Cathedral Library and Archives (Library and/or Archive) -> Canterbury Cathedral (Institution)
Annotation:[Canterbury Catalog: Dark Venetian lanthorn which magnified the light emitted from a candle placed between a concave piece of steel and convex half globe of crystalline glass. Object was catalogued as "prohibited" due to its apparent use in attacks and street robberies. Bargrave writes: "It hath bin a murthering (sic.) instrument with a pocket pistol and a poisoned stiletto - the revengeful party meeting and watching his adversary in the streets, on a sudden casteth such a dazeling brightness in his eye that he is astonished, whilst the other useth his instruments to kill him".] (missing) (approx early - mid 17th cent)