All New....A bit of fun, can you guess what this is?

This was my Grandpa's but also my Father used it, what is it? I'm hoping this quiz will last longer than 2 minutes.

 

Did you put that lava lamp in the picture on purpose? All right, no I'm not going to comment on it.

Were your father and grandfather doctors?

 

They weren't doctors but both held medical qualifications

 

Used for belly measurement.

 

for phrenology?

 

Pregnancy. Yes, you can buy a twin pram.

 

That's what I'm guessing!

 

All wrong so far ....about time lol

 

The chin rest should be should be facing the numbers.....

 

Ah...yes your right about the chin rest but it's facing the right way

 

For measuring the progress of hydrocephaly (hydrocephalus).

 

I was thinking about the modern version,it is right for the old versions.

 

Was it used to make custom hats?

 

HollyBlue has just sent a PM with the right answer, well done.. shall I let the cat out of the bag?

 

Not for hydrocephaly or hats...sorry

 

this is interesting! with the chin rest I thought for hats also, can't wait to hear what it is

 

Next guess - fitting eye glasses.

 

My Granny, Grandpa and dad were all opticians this device came from the shop when it finally closed, it's a field of vision test, you put your chin on the rest and the bit above is where the bottom of your nose rests, you look straight forward at the back of the dial where there is a tiny mirror then the optician measures how far you can see round the semicircle, not only does it do left and right but also up and down.
I doubt this was used for the last 40 years of the shops existence, I suspect it was made in the 20's?

 

Who cares.....I want to talk about the box lmao. GORGEOUS

 

I have posted a thread about the box already
https://www.antiquers.com/threads/anglo-indian-hoshiarpur-workbox-19th-c.17253/