Optical Instruments > Spectacles & Eye Glasses

RARE Mid 19th Century Mother Pearl and Silver Set of Double Magnifier and Hinged Lorgnette Eyeglasses.

Item#: OIS634

SOLD

 

This very rare set of matching double magnifier and spectacles was made with 2 silver swing-out lenses and folding round lenses. The case was made from mother of pearl with silver inlay. The lenses diameter is 2.7 cm with magnification power of X3. The French optician M. Lepage invented the ‘Hinged Lorgnette' in 1818 and called it ‘face-a-main brisee’. Artists were designing lorgnettes as high quality ornaments and by mid 19th century it became the favorite European optical aid. Provenance: From the Orr collection Inventory No. 518 and 880. 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’.