The base is a box that contains the mirror and supports the sample stage and support pillar. The box is 13.5x13.5x17cm tall.
Disassembled box showing how the front and top can come off. The front face (C) is silver-painted glass. The top (D) slides in place from the front, the glass slides down from the front, and both are held in place by the small wood piece (B). The mirror is backed by a page out of a French Almanac.
The accessory drawer slides into the front of the box.
The various stage accessories and support pillar are held in place by these hand-made nuts.