53,116  PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY • 163 ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAYNEW ARRIVALS
GIFTS
163 ITEMS ADDED TODAY
Sort Order
Items Per Page
Browse Categories
Sort order
Relevant Links
Items per page
ID #SA1235591
FOR SALE
£950
Email Phone
Save
19th Century Chinese Silver and Jade Magnifying Glass Circa 1880
For sale by Robert Belcher Antiques
for sale €1,112     $1,207
£950
Robert Belcher Antiques

Robert Belcher Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2017
Browse dealers 406 items
  • About Us
    Robert belcher antiques was established in 1984 and is a high quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative items.
Id #SA1235591
PDF SHARE
SAVE

19th Century Chinese Silver and Jade Magnifying Glass Circa 1880

19th century
Description

This finely worked and intricately designed hand magnifying glass dates to circa 1880 and was made in China. The beautiful silver frame that holds the polished magnifying glass is ornately decorated with a continuous band of squirrels and bunches of nuts or fruit, which have been delicately cast and pierced with superbly detailed hand engraving, particularly to the features and the fur of the squirrels. The handles extend in flat silver, which is also engraved with an exotic bird and mounted on the front face is a tablet of white jade which is carved and pierced with a decorative floral design. On the reverse of the handle, there is a silver mark, which is simply stamped silver, which was often done at this time. This fine magnifying glass is in good condition throughout.

Chinese, circa 1880

Height 1cm x width 17.5cm x depth 10cm

Date of Manufacture

Robert Belcher Antiques has dated this Chinese Silver Jade Magnifying Glass to the 1880s.

Independent Date Check ID 09649137
Dealer's Item Date1880s
Sellingantiques Date1880s
Sellingantiques agingItem 105-150 years old
Test ResultsPassed dating check
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to THE 1880s:
SILVER stamp on the handle: export mark used in Chinese treaty ports.
Hand-chased fur and leaves over openwork casting: late Qing dynasty export silverwork.
Carved white jade plaque mounted with claw prongs: traditional decorative mounting technique.
Natural tarnish in the crevices: silver surface that has toned with time.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Physical Dimensions
Height
1cm (0.39")
Width
17.5cm (6.89")
Depth
10cm (3.94")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1235591
Dealers Notes

Robert Belcher Antiques was established in 1984 and is a high-quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative objects. After forty years of shop keeping and maintaining beautiful showrooms, which have been regularly open six days a week, Robert and Wendy have now taken a slightly different approach to their business. Having sold their retail premises, the antique business is now fully online. The picture framing service has ceased to operate because of moving online.

You can contact Robert and Wendy by email or telephone to discuss items from their extensive catalogue of attractive pieces and make purchases. Customers can rest assured that the long-established dealership is continuing to run in an exceedingly professional way, selling genuine and high-quality items which are guaranteed to please the most discerning collector, decorator or homeowner.

All items will be personally hand packaged to a high standard. Small items are extensively wrapped using the best materials and are often double boxed. Items are then shipped with DHL or Royal Mail fully insured and often with next day delivery. Larger items would be personally delivered or sent with a specialist antique delivery firm, or for outside the U.K, a professional shipping company.

Please enjoy viewing their collection of rare and interesting pieces and have the assurance that Robert and Wendy will do their utmost to make sure your experience is exceptional, as has been recognised by many customers who have bought with confidence regularly over the years.

Contact details

Email: robertbelcherantiques@gmail.com

Telephone: 01905 622468

Mobile 07929 011224

07720 607007

Website: https://www.robertbelcherantiques.co.uk

Instagram: robertbelcherantiques

Description
This finely worked and intricately designed hand magnifying glass dates to circa 1880 and was made in China. The beautiful silver frame that holds the polished magnifying glass is ornately decorated with a continuous band of squirrels and bunches of nuts or fruit, which have been delicately cast and pierced with superbly detailed hand engraving, particularly to the features and the fur of the squirrels.
“
The handles extend in flat silver, which is also engraved with an exotic bird and mounted on the front face is a tablet of white jade which is carved and pierced with a decorative floral design.
Robert Belcher Antiques

On the reverse of the handle, there is a silver mark, which is simply stamped silver, which was often done at this time. This fine magnifying glass is in good condition throughout.

Chinese, circa 1880

Height 1cm x width 17.5cm x depth 10cm

Date of Manufacture

Robert Belcher Antiques has dated this Chinese Silver Jade Magnifying Glass to the 1880s.

Independent Date Report ID 09649137
Dealer's Item Date1880s
Sellingantiques dating1880s
Sellingantiques agingItem 105-150 years old
Test ResultsPassed dating check
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to the 1880s:
SILVER stamp on the handle: export mark used in Chinese treaty ports.
Hand-chased fur and leaves over openwork casting: late Qing dynasty export silverwork.
Carved white jade plaque mounted with claw prongs: traditional decorative mounting technique.
Natural tarnish in the crevices: silver surface that has toned with time.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Height
1cm (0.39")
Width
17.5cm (6.89")
Depth
10cm (3.94")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1235591
Robert Belcher Antiques
Robert Belcher Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2017

Robert belcher antiques was established in 1984 and is a high quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative items.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Robert Belcher Antiques Profile Page

PDF SHARE
SAVE
An antique Chinese magnifying glass featuring an ornate repousse silver circular frame decorated with squirrels and grapevines attached to a carved off-white jade handle.
1 / 13
Archive I An antique Chinese magnifying glass featuring an ornate repousse silver circular frame decorated with squirrels and grapevines attached to a carved off-white jade handle.

19th Century Chinese Silver and Jade Magnifying Glass Circa 1880

Archive II An antique Chinese magnifying glass featuring an ornate repousse silver circular frame decorated with squirrels and grapevines attached to a carved off-white jade handle. View II
Archive III An antique Chinese magnifying glass featuring an ornate repousse silver circular frame decorated with squirrels and grapevines attached to a carved off-white jade handle. View III
Archive IV An antique Chinese magnifying glass featuring an ornate repousse silver circular frame decorated with squirrels and grapevines attached to a carved off-white jade handle. View IV
Archive V An antique Chinese magnifying glass featuring an ornate repousse silver circular frame decorated with squirrels and grapevines attached to a carved off-white jade handle. View V
Archive VI An antique Chinese magnifying glass featuring an ornate repousse silver circular frame decorated with squirrels and grapevines attached to a carved off-white jade handle. View VI
Archive VII An antique Chinese magnifying glass featuring an ornate repousse silver circular frame decorated with squirrels and grapevines attached to a carved off-white jade handle. View VII
Archive VIII An antique Chinese magnifying glass featuring an ornate repousse silver circular frame decorated with squirrels and grapevines attached to a carved off-white jade handle. View VIII
Archive IX An antique Chinese magnifying glass featuring an ornate repousse silver circular frame decorated with squirrels and grapevines attached to a carved off-white jade handle. View IX
Archive X An antique Chinese magnifying glass featuring an ornate repousse silver circular frame decorated with squirrels and grapevines attached to a carved off-white jade handle. View X
Archive XI An antique Chinese magnifying glass featuring an ornate repousse silver circular frame decorated with squirrels and grapevines attached to a carved off-white jade handle. View XI
Archive XII An antique Chinese magnifying glass featuring an ornate repousse silver circular frame decorated with squirrels and grapevines attached to a carved off-white jade handle. View XII
Archive XIII An antique Chinese magnifying glass featuring an ornate repousse silver circular frame decorated with squirrels and grapevines attached to a carved off-white jade handle. View XIII
Enlarged Archival View
Location
Worcestershire
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Verified Since Jul 2017
Items For Sale 406
Items Sold 682
Robert Belcher Antiques
Robert Belcher Antiques
Verified Since Jul 2017
View Dealer Info
Location: Worcestershire, United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Verified
Jul 2017
For Sale
406
Sold
682
An antique Chinese magnifying glass featuring an ornate repousse silver circular frame decorated with squirrels and grapevines attached to a carved off-white jade handle.
19th century Chinese silver and jade magnifying glass circa 1880
Ref: SA1235591
An antique Chinese magnifying glass featuring an ornate repousse silver circular frame decorated with squirrels and grapevines attached to a carved off-white jade handle.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Detail View 8
Detail View 9
Detail View 10
Detail View 11
Detail View 12
Archival Detail
Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.
Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectMagnifying Glasses
  • Period19th century
  • StyleQing Dynasty
  • MaterialSilver, Jade, Glass
  • ColourSilver, Off-White
  • MotifsRepousse grapevine, squirrel figures, carved jade handle
  • SizeH 1 cm (0 in) x W 17.5 cm (7 in) x D 10 cm (4 in)

This 19th-century Chinese hand magnifying glass dates to circa 1880, originating from the Qing Dynasty. The piece consists of a circular glass lens held within a silver frame, paired with an off-white carved jade handle. The repoussé silver mount features an ornate openwork design depicting running squirrel figures amongst detailed grapevines with foliage and clusters of fruit. A straight, rectangular pale jade tablet is mounted onto the front of the handle, displaying intricate floral and leaf carvings. The reverse side of the handle shows a stamped silver mark. The entire object measures 1 cm high, 17.5 cm wide, and 10 cm deep. Designed for a gentleman's library, this decorative desk accessory adds historical character to an office workspace. It sits flat upon a desktop surface, ready for daily reading tasks or inspection of fine details. The combination of reflective metallic silver and soft, carved off-white stone creates a tactile contrast suitable for display on a study table or writing desk.

During the late Qing Dynasty in the 19th century, Chinese silversmiths crafted decorative objects specifically for European and American markets, combining traditional Chinese motifs with Western functional forms such as magnifying glasses.

These pieces typically feature export silver or sterling frames, hand-carved jade plaque handlesoften re-purposed from traditional garment fittingsand optical glass lenses.

Authentic pieces often exhibit Chinese character marks or silversmith hallmarks, detailed repousse work depicting flora and fauna, and genuine hand-carved jade showing natural color variations.

Place the magnifying glass flat on a stack of hardcover books, display it on an office desk alongside brass instruments, or store it in a shallow glass display case on a bookshelf.

Gently wipe the silver frame with a soft microfibre cloth and specialised silver polish, ensuring the polish does not come into contact with the jade, which should be cleaned using only a damp cloth.
items
Add keywords to the filter
Price
£100
£250000
Era
Period
Style
Material
Origin
Stock Location
Recently Added
Online Payments
Categories