Optical Instruments > Spectacles & Eye Glasses

19th Century Gilt Rimless Folding Pince-Nez Spectacles

Item#: OIS619

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Pince-nez (French for "pinch nose") are a style of folding spectacles clipped to the nose by a spring bridge. First made their appearance in the late 18th century, reaching their peak popularity by the end of the 19th century. Folded Pince-nez were usually suspended from a ribbon or chain worn round the neck, or tied to the buttonhole of a lapel. These gilt steel folders were made with spring bridge, cork on spring nose-pads and oval lenses R & L –2.0. Provenance: From the Orr collection, Inventory No. 234. Hugh Orr (1905 - 2002) was a collector and curator of the British Optical Association Museum. In 1985 he published the book “Illustrated History of Antique Spectacles”.