A rare wooden countertop dynamometer, designed to test wrist strength in cafes and public establishments during the 1930s. The device, signed "Société Belge d'Appareils Automatiques - 12 Rue de la Marché aux Herbes, Bruxelles," operated with a 10-centime coin: once inserted, the user squeezed the handle to measure their strength, visible on the graduated brass dial. The internal spring and gear mechanism is complete and functional during a manual test, although the activation piece is missing.
✦ Origin: Belgium ✦ Estimated period: Circa 1930 ✦ Dimensions: 41 × 28 × 25 cm ✦ Material: Wood, brass, steel, glass ✦ Condition: Very good overall condition, wear consistent with use, original labels retained, handle and dial in good condition, upper corner slightly damaged, mechanical operation observed manually without the part.
A playful slot machine typical of pre-war cafes and fairs - an iconic piece of Belgian popular culture, at the crossroads of play and science.
