Description: A pair of lacquered brass opera glasses with ivory coverings on the barrels. A gilded vine of grapes, and leaves with green beads encircle the ivory. The adjustment wheel is made of ivory also. "PAR BREVET D'INVENTION ET DE PERFECTIONNEMENT" marked around both eye pieces.


History: Opera glasses, also known as theater binoculars or Galilean binoculars, are compact, low-power optical magnification devices, usually used at performance events, whose name is derived from traditional use at opera performances. Magnification power below 5x— is usually desired in these circumstances in order to minimize image shake and maintain a large enough field of view. A magnification of 3x is normally recommended. The design of many modern opera glasses of the ornamental variety is based on the popular lorgnettes of the 19th century.

Provenance: FL Estate


Dimensions: Weight (Pounds & Ounces) = 0.375 | Height(in) = 2 | Width(in) = 4 | Depth(in) = 1.25

Size of Artwork(in): 2 x 4 x 1.25"


Artist Name: France


Medium: Brass, celluloid, gilt.


Circa: Circa 1900

The pair has clear lenses. Some of the gilding is scratched. Each barrel has a crack in the ivory covering. The adjustment wheel has a crack. The set screw is missing from the frame, which allows for focus.