Stereoscope 1859

This 1859 "Stereoscope" by Alex Beckers is a beautifully crafted wooden device designed for viewing stereoscopic images. The viewer features two lens openings, a hinged top, and a turned wooden knob. The stereoscope was a popular 19th-century invention that created the illusion of three-dimensionality by presenting slightly different images to each eye, making the scene appear to have depth and realism. The Metropolitan Museum of Art houses this example of early photographic technology, showcasing the ingenuity of its time.