Copper Praxinoscope – small

Invented by Emile Reynaud (1844-1918) the praxinoscope is the successor to the zoetrope. It has a lower drum without slits on its wall, and a multi-facet mirror is placed around the central axis. The strip of images is fixed on the inner side of the drum, with each piece of mirror reflecting one sequential image. Thus, instead of watching it directly, the drawing on the paper strip is reflected by the mirrors. The mirrors and the drawings rotate simultaneously and although you always look in a different mirror, you will see a still image, because you perceive half of one image supplemented by the image in the other mirror as a single picture. It adds to the experience if a candle is placed on top of the mirrors in the centre, which used to be a common projection method before the appearance of the classical motion picture. Patented in 1877 the praxinoscope has become a popular instrument in doctor’s offices by the late 19th century. Based on the praxinoscope Reynaud has developed several other instruments that offered more of a social experience.

Diameter: 18 cm Height: 20 cm