Accession Number

2015.007

Description

One brass marine telescope with an adjustable sun shade. The maker's name, Negretti & Zambra of London is engraved into the extending tube. The central shaft is covered with plaited rope covered with white paint.

Narrative

This marine telescope with sun shade by Negretti & Zambra of London was made in the late 19^th or early 20^th century. It is visually similar to examples illustrated in the company’s 1886 catalogue – in particular, figure 833, a “pilot” telescope shown on page 244.

Although it is not known that Joan Dunsmuir owned a telescope at Craigdarroch, it is reasonable to conclude that she might have had one. Her personal interest in maritime scenes and commerce is documented. Firstly, she decorated the walls of Craigdarroch Castle with marine watercolour paintings by Samuel Maclure and Thomas Bush Hardy. Secondly, she owned and leased a variety of coal-carrying ships that were seen from Craigdarroch as they made their way through the Strait of Juan de Fuca to and from San Francisco.  She knew people that used marine telescopes daily, including Captain Joshua Freeman, the Master of the tall ship, Glory of The Seas, who lived nearby, and whose son designed Alexander Dunsmuir’s house in Oakland, CA.

Negretti & Zambra telescopes were offered with a variety of coverings on the main tube – wood, leather, and plaited rope (also known as sennit). Those models covered with sennit had either bare rope (for presentation or interior use) or, with a coating on the rope for use in weather. This example appears to have sennit that is not original to the telescope.  It was applied in an amateurish fashion. The coating appears to be an off-white house paint that was applied unevenly. This type of modification/rejuvenation is precisely what one might expect to see in a telescope that has had considerable use over a prolonged period in a marine environment.

History of Use

Unknown

Date

circa 1900

Dimensions

3.8 x 46.5 cm

Material

Metal, brass; Glass

Brand Name

Negretti & Zambra

Technique

Tooled

Country of Origin

England