Description: Tapered tortoise shell handle, with inlaid silver flowers and oval shaped folding spectacles.

History: A lorgnette is a pair of spectacles with a handle, used to hold them in place, rather than fitting over the ears or nose. It is derived from the French lorgner, to take a sidelong look at, and Middle French, from lorgne, squinting.They were invented by an Englishman named George Adams. The lorgnette was usually used as a piece of jewelry, rather than to enhance vision. Fashionable ladies usually preferred them to spectacles. These were very popular at masquerade parties and used often at the opera (becoming the model for today's opera glasses). They were worn popularly in the 19th century.

Provenance: N/A

Dimensions: Weight (Pounds & Ounces) = 0.5 | Height(in) = 1.25 | Width(in) = 4.5 | Depth(in) = 0.5

Size of Artwork(in): 1.25 x 4.5"

Artist Name: Unknown

Medium: Silver, Glass, Tortoise Shell

Circa: 19th C.

One flower missing from inlaid design, mild chipping to shell handle. Glasses are lightly scuffed along the rims and show a slight looseness in the frame and hinge.