A lorgnette is a pair of glasses that are mounted onto a handle rather than sitting on the nose and fitting over the ears, and here is a very elegant antique lorgnette that can still be used today and looks as fashionable as ever.
Dating from the 1880's, it was made in a base metal that has achieved a wonderful patina and adds to the charm and character. The detail is just incredible and will have you admiring it every time that you hold it. On the side when is a small lever, that once pressed allows the lens which itself is folded onto itself to spring out of the handle and open ready to use.
Measuring 71.6mm plus the link to hand off a chain, by 24mm wide when closed, this is such a fabulous piece that showcases how fabulous the Victorian era truly was.
Stock# ET502
Circa: 1880
$Sold.
Out of stock
Antique lorgnette dating from the late Victorian era
Brief history on lorgnettes:
A lorgnette is quite simply a pair of glasses that fold into itself into a handle that is held up to the eyes when open are rather than sitting on the nose and the ears, and comes from the French term “lorgner†meaning to take a sideways look.
Lorgnettes were popular in the 18th and 19th Century and even had a resurgence in the Art Deco era of the 1920s’s, and as they were so easy and portable to use, were a common site in Georgian and Victorian times. Lorgnettes were made from a multitude of materials not just silver or gold, but ivory, horn and tortoiseshell to name a few.
Quite often the gold lorgnettes were hand engraved, set with precious gemstones such as diamonds, enamelled, or even a combination of all of these techniques.
A wonderful look back at time, lorgnettes still retain so much charm and poise.
