This is a great piece, a Victorian kaleidoscope still in full working order. Rather than cylindrical it has been shaped as a hexagonol base which tapers up to the eye piece.
It works by shaking the piece and different patterns appear.
 The kaleidoscope was invented in 1816 by a Scottish scientist called Sir David Brewster. He patented his invention in 1817 and named it 'kaleidoscope' after three Greek words: 'kalos', meaning 'beautiful', 'eidos', meaning 'form' and 'scopos', meaning watcher.
The piece measures 19.5cm h x 6cm w at the base.