Rare 325-year-old Leeuwenhoek microscope could sell for €290K in Christie's auction

Christie's in London will auction a silver microscope on December 13, believed to have been made around 1700 by the Dutch scientist Antoni van Leeuwenhoek. The auction house estimates the sale to be between 180,000 and 290,000 euros.

Described as “one of the rarest microscopes by the father of microbiology, with the highest magnification extent,” the silver microscope's lens is held between two riveted silver plates and can achieve a magnification of approximately 285x. According to Christie’s, the microscope was “probably” made by Antoni van Leeuwenhoek around 1700.

Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, born in Delft in 1632 and commonly known as “the father of microbiology,” made significant contributions to the early study of microorganisms despite his lack of formal scientific training. He was the first to observe muscle fibers, bacteria, and blood cells using his handcrafted microscopes.

Antoni van Leeuwenhoek's microscopes are considered rare and valuable historical artifacts. He is thought to have made 322 microscopes and 237 lenses. Christie's stated that only about twelve are thought to remain, making the one set for auction in December potentially the thirteenth from the Dutch scientists that have survived to this day.

The other surviving microscopes can be found in various museums and private collections around the world. Rijksmuseum Boerhaave in Leiden holds the largest collection of Leeuwenhoek microscopes. Utrecht University Museum has a collection of historical microscopes, including one attributed to Leeuwenhoek.