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An outstanding pair of 19th Century Tortoise-Shell and Silver Hinged Lorgnette Eyeglasses. The French optician M. Lepage invented the ‘Hinged Lorgnette' in 1818 and called it ‘face-à-main brisée’. Artists were designing lorgnettes as high quality ornaments and by mid 19th century it became the favorite European optical aid. The case of this lorgnette was made from tortoise-shell with silver inlay. The frame, with a hinge in the bridge center, was made from silver with oval lenses. A small ring is affixed to the outer end of the case, through which a small chain or ribbon could be pulled. The ladies used to attach the lorgnette to their bodice and wore it as a brooch. Provenance: From the Orr collection, Inventory No. 461. 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’. |
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