Museum-Quality Louis XVI Microscope. Paris. Circa 1765. Claude Passemant, Ingenieur Du Roi. Gilt bronze. Ebonized wood. Fish skin. Rectangular wooden plinth with scalloped upper section and decorative bronze band-fries. Small drawer in front of base with a further five ocular lens attachments. Ocular lens with moveable mirror and adjustable tube, the top section is decorated with a panel of fish skin. Height 34,5cm. Condition A. Inscribed on the plinth: "PASSEMANT RUE DE LA MONOYE AL A POMME D OR A PARIS". Literature: Brian Loomes. Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World. London 2006. For this master, see pg. 596. Optische Sammlung der Ernst-Abbe-Stiftung Jena. 1. Auflage. Lindenberg 1998. An opulently decorated microscope by Claude Passement is illustrated on the first page of the cover. Claude Passement published his first volume on applied optical science in 1738, and simultaneously began his highly successful business carreer. By the end of the 1740s, two accomplishments had already firmly established his standing as a scientist: The presentation of a telescope to the academy of sciences in 1746, and the presentation of his historically significant astronomical clock to the king in 1749. The clock can still be seen in Versailles to this day. Passement was awarded the title "Ingenieur Du Roi" and became the official provider of scientific instruments for the royal family and other important persons of the era. He soon received commissions for numerous astronomical clocks and other instruments. Many of his works - which include telescopes, eyeglasses, astronomical clocks and mechanical globes - are exhibited in the scientific cabinets of Versailles, La Muette, Choisy and Bellevue.