Optical box carved in wood, fitted with an adjustable lens, Italy, Venice.
Focusing device carved in wood, for viewing photographic images. The device is installed on a stand allowing individual viewing. The aim is to comfortably offer both eyes of the viewer an enlarged image with stereoscopic effect. In addition, the images are treated to give a day and night effect. For a daytime view, the photographic image is illuminated by the two side reflectors; for a nighttime effect, the side reflectors are closed and the back of the camera is opened. The photographic image is illuminated by a light source placed behind the apparatus. The frame to hold the images is curved, so that the image is slightly concave to fit the shape of the lens. The images themselves are photographs, albumen prints, punctured with small holes and lined with coloured paper. The collection comprises some thirty plates on various subjects: a dozen views of Venice, 5 views of Naples and its environs, 2 of Milan, 5 of Rome, 2 of Florence, 2 unknown.

The manufacturer is Carlo Ponti, the format of the views in 30.5 * 43.

The 'Megalethoscope' of Carlo Ponti. Optical adjustable box in sculpted wood for viewing photographic images