Item number: X18

Year: ND

Material: Metal and Glass

Size: 35.7 x 35.7 x 33.8 mm

Weight: 39.25 g

Provenance: Private Collector, France, 2021

This is an undated insect observation jar featuring a metal base marked with the emblem of a “Gallic rooster,” symbolising France, and the French inscription “MODELE DÉPOSÉ” (registered design). The jar’s top includes a detachable magnifying glass, allowing for detailed observation of insects placed inside. The glass body of the jar also permits viewing of the insects from the side. Upon closer inspection, the glass contains numerous tiny air bubbles, indicating that it was likely crafted using traditional hand-blown techniques.

When discussing France and insects, the world-renowned entomologist Jean-Henri Fabre naturally comes to mind. Born in AD 1823 in the southern French province of Aveyron, Fabre grew up in a modest household and had to leave school to work. Despite these challenges, he earned a degree from the Paris Academy of Sciences through persistent self-study while working. At the age of 45, Fabre purchased a plot of land in the village of Sérignan in southern France, naming it the “Harmas,” where he conducted meticulous observations and studies of insects.

In AD 1877, Fabre experienced the tragic loss of his 16-year-old son Jules, who shared a similar temperament to his own. The following year, at the age of 55, Fabre channelled his grief into writing and published the first volume of Souvenirs Entomologiques (The Life of Insects). He completed the tenth and final volume at the age of 83. After the publication of Souvenirs Entomologiques, Fabre gained widespread acclaim both domestically and internationally. However, he remained devoted to his passion for insects, continuing his observations and research until his death in AD 1915 at the age of 91.

物件編號: X18

年代: 未明

材質: 金屬, 玻璃

尺寸: 35.7 x 35.7 x 33.8 mm

重量: 39.25 g

來源: 法國私人收藏 2021

這是一個製作年代不明的昆蟲觀察放大罐，觀察罐的金屬底部有一隻象徵法國的「高盧公雞」標記和法文戳記「MODELE DEPOSÉ」(註冊型號)。這個觀察罐的頂部是一個可拆卸的放大鏡，能將採集到的昆蟲放進罐子後，從頂部放大觀察昆蟲的行為和特徵。玻璃罐身也能讓人隔著觀察裡面的昆蟲，若仔細觀察罐身的玻璃能發現許多微小的氣泡，代表這件玻璃極可能是人工吹製的工藝產物。

一提到法國和昆蟲就會聯想到世界知名的昆蟲學家尚-亨利·法布爾。公元1823年，法布爾出生於法國南部的阿韋龍省，由於家境清寒被迫輟學就業，但後續仍憑藉著半工半讀的努力得到巴黎科學院學位。法布爾在45歲時，於南法的塞西尼翁村買了一塊土地，並且命名為「荒石園」對於昆蟲進行仔細的觀察和研究。公元1877年，歷經性格最為相似的16歲次子朱爾早逝的衝擊。隔年55歲的法布爾化思念為力量出版《昆蟲記》第一冊，並且於83歲完成最後的第十冊。法布爾在《昆蟲記》出版後名聲於國內外水漲船高，但是他仍不忘喜愛昆蟲的初心持續觀察記錄，直到公元1915年以91歲高齡逝世為止。