Opera Glasses
I spy with my little eye…this week’s Tiny Tuesday!
These stunning opera glasses consist of a gilt metal frame, with the barrels covered in Mother-of-Pearl! A marking for Lemaire, Paris can be found on the eye cups, though the official date of manufacturing is unknown.
As the name suggests, opera glasses were used by audience members to see smaller details on stage during a performance! Jacques Lemaire was considered a major manufacturer of opera glasses during the second half of the 19th century. When Lemaire began production in 1847, most glasses had to be adjusted individually. Lemaire created a piece which allowed for the barrels to be adjusted simultaneously, allowing for single vision.
The Historical Society has an interesting array of 19th century opera glasses within our collection!