Author Topic: Micro photograph inside bead  (Read 1616 times)

UndrState

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Micro photograph inside bead
« on: October 19, 2011, 12:04:19 pm »
Hello,
About a decade ago, I bought a bone-carved dip pen with little holes in the handle, one of which contains a small bead of glass which, when held up to the eye, has a photograph of Jacob's Pillow Rock in it.

I am just looking for the term for such a bead/photo. The antique dealer I spoke to indicated that there was such a term, but couldn't remember what it was. I'm also kind of curious to know if these are find-able and collectible, as it seems the pen I have is meant to store more (I suspect something like a tour of the holy land).

Sorry for not having a photo of the pen. Photograph of Jacob's Rock was sepia coloured and captioned at the bottom.

talesofthesevenseas

  • Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6124
  • Karma: +35/-0
    • View Profile
Re: Micro photograph inside bead
« Reply #1 on: October 19, 2011, 12:16:01 pm »
It is called a Stanhope, named after the guy who developed the process.
Antiqueaholic in recovery

talesofthesevenseas

  • Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6124
  • Karma: +35/-0
    • View Profile
Re: Micro photograph inside bead
« Reply #2 on: October 19, 2011, 12:19:17 pm »
http://www.stanhopes.info/a_closer_view.html The inventor was Charles, 3rd Earl of Stanhope. Check out the article at this link, there is a lot of info there.
Antiqueaholic in recovery

UndrState

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Re: Micro photograph inside bead
« Reply #3 on: October 20, 2011, 06:45:57 am »
You're a god-send! Thank you, I think you just put me out of my misery ;)

snowflake

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 959
  • Karma: +4/-0
    • View Profile
    • The Flutter Bee
Re: Micro photograph inside bead
« Reply #4 on: October 20, 2011, 10:46:29 am »
Good one, Tales! This one had me stumped and was bugging me!

KC

  • Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11660
  • Karma: +93/-0
  • Forever Blessed!
    • View Profile
Re: Micro photograph inside bead
« Reply #5 on: October 20, 2011, 11:08:27 am »
Great job Talesof!  Totally forgot that term!!!!
I'm from the South - but please don't mistake my Southern Manners/Accent/Charm as a weakness!

talesofthesevenseas

  • Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6124
  • Karma: +35/-0
    • View Profile
Re: Micro photograph inside bead
« Reply #6 on: October 20, 2011, 11:24:17 am »
I'm glad this was helpful. We had someone a while ago who remembered her mother having a tiny pig where you looked up the pig's backside to see a picture inside. That kind of stuck in my mind, LOL!
Antiqueaholic in recovery