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thumbnail of c1890 Snake Lorgnette (on white background) thumbnail of c1890 Snake Lorgnette (open view on hand for scale) thumbnail of c1890 Snake Lorgnette (handle detail on hand for scale) thumbnail of c1890 Snake Lorgnette (on black background) thumbnail of c1890 Snake Lorgnette (on black background back view)
c1890 Snake Lorgnette (on white background)
c1890 Snake Lorgnette (open view on hand for scale)
c1890 Snake Lorgnette (handle detail on hand for scale)
c1890 Snake Lorgnette (on black background)
c1890 Snake Lorgnette (on black background back view)
Vintage

c1890 Snake Lorgnette

$475
c1890 Snake Lorgnette (on white background)
c1890 Snake Lorgnette (open view on hand for scale)
c1890 Snake Lorgnette (handle detail on hand for scale)
c1890 Snake Lorgnette (on black background)
c1890 Snake Lorgnette (on black background back view)
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An unusual antique c1890 Victorian lorgnette built out of blackened steel with a 14K rose gold snake wrapped around the handle. A release on the handle frees the second lens. Fashionable women in the 19th century preferred to use lorgnettes over spectacles, wearing them like jewelry. These are fitted with two different prescription lenses, one with strong magnification for reading, and the other with only slight magnification, perhaps for distance. When closed together, they function well as a magnifying glass. Lenses could be replaced with prescription lenses by an optometrist.

Materials

Steel and 14K Gold

Date

c1890

Condition

Good. A little rusting. Lenses are scratched. Lens release is a little tight.

Size

Length: 5.25"