  Ancient instruments of high interest for research on the origin and diffusion
of early scientific devices in the late XVI - early XVII centuries are
reproduced in three paintings by Jan Brueghel the Elder. We investigated the
nature and the origin of these instruments, in particular the spyglass depicted
in a painting dated 1609-1612 that represents the most ancient reproduction of
an early spyglass, and the two sophisticated spyglasses with draw tubes that
are reproduced in two paintings, dated 1617-1618. We suggest that these two
instruments may represent early examples of keplerian telescopes. Concerning
the other scientific instruments, namely an astrolabe, an armillary sphere, a
nocturnal, a proportional compass, surveying instruments, a Mordente's compass,
a theodolite, etc., we point out that most of them may be associated with
Michiel Coignet, cosmographer and instrument maker at the Court of the Archduke
Albert VII of Hapsburg in Brussels.
