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ID #SA1240243
FOR SALE
£495
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Rare French Abalone Shell Opera Glasses with Lorgnette Handle C.1900
For sale by Puckerings
for sale €579     $629
£495
Puckerings

Puckerings

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2009
Browse dealers 397 items
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    A quality online collection of fine english antique smalls with free worldwide shipping from london, england
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Id #SA1240243
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Rare French Abalone Shell Opera Glasses with Lorgnette Handle C.1900

1900 - 1920
For Sale by Puckerings
Description

A stunning pair of scarcely found opera glasses with a two drawer extendable lorgnette handle.

The glasses are French in origin dating to the late Victorian or Edwardian era c. 1890 /1910; a true antique pair.

They are clad in a magical and highly decorative Abalone shell (Haliotis iris). The panels on the barrels and the extendable lorgnette handle showcase bright, shifting flashes of peacock green, gold, pink, and electric violet.

Excellent condition and in full working order measuring 4 3/4" x 2" x 1 7/8" while folded up. A newer pouch is included for their protection.

Item: 44561

Physical Dimensions
Height
4.8cm (1.89")
Width
12.1cm (4.76")
Depth
5.1cm (2.01")
Declaration

Puckerings has dated these French Abalone Opera Glasses to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1240243
Dealers Internal Reference
44561
Dealers Notes

FREE Worldwide Shipping Directly From London, England

Description
A stunning pair of scarcely found opera glasses with a two drawer extendable lorgnette handle.

The glasses are French in origin dating to the late Victorian or Edwardian era c. 1890 /1910; a true antique pair.

They are clad in a magical and highly decorative Abalone shell (Haliotis iris).

“
The panels on the barrels and the extendable lorgnette handle showcase bright, shifting flashes of peacock green, gold, pink, and electric violet.
Puckerings

Excellent condition and in full working order measuring 4 3/4" x 2" x 1 7/8" while folded up. A newer pouch is included for their protection.

Item: 44561

Height
4.8cm (1.89")
Width
12.1cm (4.76")
Depth
5.1cm (2.01")
Date of Manufacture

Puckerings has dated these French Abalone Opera Glasses to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1240243
Dealers Internal Ref
44561
Puckerings
Puckerings
Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2009

A quality online collection of fine english antique smalls with free worldwide shipping from london, england

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Puckerings Profile Page

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Antique French opera glasses with iridescent abalone shell panels, brass hardware, and a folding lorgnette handle.
1 / 12
Archive I Antique French opera glasses with iridescent abalone shell panels, brass hardware, and a folding lorgnette handle.

Rare French Abalone Shell Opera Glasses with Lorgnette Handle C.1900

Archive II Antique French opera glasses with iridescent abalone shell panels, brass hardware, and a folding lorgnette handle. View II
Archive III Antique French opera glasses with iridescent abalone shell panels, brass hardware, and a folding lorgnette handle. View III
Archive IV Antique French opera glasses with iridescent abalone shell panels, brass hardware, and a folding lorgnette handle. View IV
Archive V Antique French opera glasses with iridescent abalone shell panels, brass hardware, and a folding lorgnette handle. View V
Archive VI Antique French opera glasses with iridescent abalone shell panels, brass hardware, and a folding lorgnette handle. View VI
Archive VII Antique French opera glasses with iridescent abalone shell panels, brass hardware, and a folding lorgnette handle. View VII
Archive VIII Antique French opera glasses with iridescent abalone shell panels, brass hardware, and a folding lorgnette handle. View VIII
Archive IX Antique French opera glasses with iridescent abalone shell panels, brass hardware, and a folding lorgnette handle. View IX
Archive X Antique French opera glasses with iridescent abalone shell panels, brass hardware, and a folding lorgnette handle. View X
Archive XI Antique French opera glasses with iridescent abalone shell panels, brass hardware, and a folding lorgnette handle. View XI
Archive XII Antique French opera glasses with iridescent abalone shell panels, brass hardware, and a folding lorgnette handle. View XII
Enlarged Archival View
Puckerings

Puckerings
Telephone 07853 189 922
Location
London
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/puckerings
Verified Since Jul 2009
Items For Sale 397
Items Sold 7,615
Puckerings
Puckerings
Verified Since Jul 2009
View Dealer Info
Location: London, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/puckerings
Verified
Jul 2009
For Sale
397
Sold
7,615
Antique French opera glasses with iridescent abalone shell panels, brass hardware, and a folding lorgnette handle.
Rare French Abalone Shell Opera Glasses With Lorgnette Handle c.1900
Ref: SA1240243
Antique French opera glasses with iridescent abalone shell panels, brass hardware, and a folding lorgnette handle.
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectOpera Glasses
  • Period1900 - 1920
  • StyleBelle Epoque
  • MaterialBrass, Abalone Shell, Glass
  • ColourIridescent Green
  • MotifsLorgnette handle, central focus wheel, iridescent shell panelling
  • SizeH 4.8 cm (2 in) x W 12.1 cm (5 in) x D 5.1 cm (2 in)

These French opera glasses from the period 1900 belong to the Belle Epoque style. The design incorporates polished brass hardware, a central focus wheel, and panels of iridescent abalone shell displaying shimmering green, pink, and gold tones across the barrels and the extendable lorgnette handle. Visible details include turned brass rims, fine knurled mouldings on the focus adjustment, and circular eye-pieces trimmed with dark shell borders. Measuring 4.8 cm high, 12.1 cm wide, and 5.1 cm deep, the instrument folds compactly for storage. In a modern home, this decorative piece sits naturally on a bookshelf, writing desk, or cabinet display alongside other vintage curiosities and period accessories.

FAQs

Antique lorgnette opera glasses are compact, low-magnification optical instruments designed for theatre use, featuring a side-mounted or folding handle that allowed the viewer to hold them to the eyes without raised arms during performances.

Opera glasses from this era were constructed using cast brass or gilded bronze frameworks, frequently overlaid with natural iridescent materials such as abalone shell, mother-of-pearl, or polished tortoiseshell, paired with precision ground glass optical lenses.

Authentic period examples often feature small maker stamps around the eye cups or central bridge, smooth gear-driven central focus wheels, and hand-fitted shell panels that show subtle natural colour variations rather than uniform synthetic patterns.

Position small decorative optics on a curated bookshelf, an office desk atop leather-bound books, or inside a glass display cabinet alongside vintage brass curiosities to serve as an intriguing conversation piece.

Dust the brass and shell panelling regularly using a soft, lint-free microfibre cloth, keeping the object away from direct sunlight and excess humidity to prevent the natural nacre from drying out or lifting from the metal frame.
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