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Mid 19th Century Mother of Pearl and Silver Set of Double Magnifier and Hinged Lorgnette Eyeglasses. 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-à-main brisée’. 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’. |
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