"19th Century Egg Candle"
19th Century Egg Candler. A rare item to add to a cabinet of curiosities. The egg candler was used to check if an egg was fertilized. The egg was placed in the oval holder. The whole assembly was then placed in front of a candle, and the developing embryo was seen through the candle. While modern devices use an electric light bulb, the principle remains the same. The egg holder is made of fir, with the rest of an unidentified wood (beech?). It has a finely turned handle. In good condition. Diameter 15.5 cm, length 27 cm