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ID #SA126326
FOR SALE
£120
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Early 20th Century Set of Tortoise Shell Style Lorgnettes, Leather Case, Neck Lanyard, and Original Box.
Serpentine Antiques
for sale €140     $152
£120
Serpentine Antiques

Serpentine Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Feb 2008
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    Specialising in unique pieces for the discerning individual, selected and prepared with special care..
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Id #SA126326
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Early 20th Century Set of Tortoise Shell Style Lorgnettes, Leather Case, Neck Lanyard, and Original Box.

1900 - 1920
Description

Early 20th century complete set of "tortoise shell" style lorgnettes, adjustable ribbon neck lanyard, leather case, and original box as purchased from Pictons Ophthalmic Opticians on Union Street in Bristol.

Lorgnettes were used for reading and pursuits like opera and the races, for those who needed spectacles, but either didn't wish to wear them regularly, or wanted to make a certain style statement. They were meant to fold flat nicely to place in handbag or pocket.

This is a lovely pair, and comes with all its original pieces. The round glass lenses I estimate would fall into the 2.5 to 2.75 magnification range. They very neatly fall into the long shaped handle with loop on end for the attached lanyard to use to wear around the neck for convenience.

Size-7 inches long by 1 5/8 inches closed; 11.5 inches fully extended straight.

Weight-130 grams including case and box.

These would be lovely to use or display on an antique table next to or on top of a leather bound book.

A nice piece of history in very good condition.

Declaration

Serpentine Antiques has dated this Antique Tortoiseshell Style Lorgnette to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA126326
Dealers Internal Reference
6121
Dealers Notes

Please click on my personal website link in the top left column of this page, or go to www.serpentineantiques.co.uk to see additional items not listed on this site. If you would like additional photos, I am happy to provide them.

Inventory is located in different locations, so please email to verify availability. Thank you.

Description
Early 20th century complete set of "tortoise shell" style lorgnettes, adjustable ribbon neck lanyard, leather case, and original box as purchased from Pictons Ophthalmic Opticians on Union Street in Bristol.
“
Lorgnettes were used for reading and pursuits like opera and the races, for those who needed spectacles, but either didn't wish to wear them regularly, or wanted to make a certain style statement.
Serpentine Antiques

They were meant to fold flat nicely to place in handbag or pocket.

fig 1. An early twentieth-century tortoiseshell-effect folding lorgnette featuring round glass lenses, an extended handle, and an attached black neck lanyard.
fig 1. Early 20th Century Set of Tortoise Shell Style Lorgnettes, Leather Case, Neck Lanyard, and Original Box.

This is a lovely pair, and comes with all its original pieces. The round glass lenses I estimate would fall into the 2.5 to 2.75 magnification range. They very neatly fall into the long shaped handle with loop on end for the attached lanyard to use to wear around the neck for convenience.

fig 2. An early twentieth-century tortoiseshell-effect folding lorgnette featuring round glass lenses, an extended handle, and an attached black neck lanyard.
fig 2. Early 20th Century Set of Tortoise Shell Style Lorgnettes, Leather Case, Neck Lanyard, and Original Box.

Size-7 inches long by 1 5/8 inches closed; 11.5 inches fully extended straight.

Weight-130 grams including case and box.

These would be lovely to use or display on an antique table next to or on top of a leather bound book.

A nice piece of history in very good condition.

Date of Manufacture

Serpentine Antiques has dated this Antique Tortoiseshell Style Lorgnette to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA126326
Dealers Internal Ref
6121
Serpentine Antiques
Serpentine Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Feb 2008

Specialising in unique pieces for the discerning individual, selected and prepared with special care..

Dealer Profile

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

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An early twentieth-century tortoiseshell-effect folding lorgnette featuring round glass lenses, an extended handle, and an attached black neck lanyard.
1 / 5
Archive I An early twentieth-century tortoiseshell-effect folding lorgnette featuring round glass lenses, an extended handle, and an attached black neck lanyard.

Early 20th Century Set of Tortoise Shell Style Lorgnettes, Leather Case, Neck Lanyard, and Original Box.

Archive II An early twentieth-century tortoiseshell-effect folding lorgnette featuring round glass lenses, an extended handle, and an attached black neck lanyard. View II
Archive III An early twentieth-century tortoiseshell-effect folding lorgnette featuring round glass lenses, an extended handle, and an attached black neck lanyard. View III
Archive IV An early twentieth-century tortoiseshell-effect folding lorgnette featuring round glass lenses, an extended handle, and an attached black neck lanyard. View IV
Archive V An early twentieth-century tortoiseshell-effect folding lorgnette featuring round glass lenses, an extended handle, and an attached black neck lanyard. View V
Enlarged Archival View
Serpentine Antiques

Serpentine Antiques
Telephone 07810 752 292
Location
at The Antiques Warehouse
Badshot Farm
St. Georges Rd
Runfold
Farnham
Surrey
GU9 9HR
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/serpentine
Verified Since Feb 2008
Items For Sale 105
Items Sold 1,220
Serpentine Antiques
Serpentine Antiques
Verified Since Feb 2008
View Dealer Info
Location: at The Antiques Warehouse, Badshot Farm, St. Georges Rd, Runfold, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 9HR, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/serpentine
Verified
Feb 2008
For Sale
105
Sold
1,220
An early twentieth-century tortoiseshell-effect folding lorgnette featuring round glass lenses, an extended handle, and an attached black neck lanyard.
Early 20th century set of tortoise shell style lorgnettes, leather case, neck lanyard, and original box.
Ref: SA126326
An early twentieth-century tortoiseshell-effect folding lorgnette featuring round glass lenses, an extended handle, and an attached black neck lanyard.
Detail View 1
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FAQs

A lorgnette is a pair of spectacles mounted on a extended handle, popular from the late 18th to the early 20th century as both an optical aid and a personal fashion accessory.

Lorgnettes were crafted using gold, silver, tortoiseshell, mother-of-pearl, and early synthetic polymers such as celluloid, frequently featuring internal folding mechanisms.

Authentic period lorgnettes feature hand-assembled mechanical hinges, precise optical lens grinding, and natural variation in the frame pattern or metal hallmarks.

Small historical accessories can be displayed inside glass-topped shadow boxes, styled flat on a stack of leather-bound books, or arranged on a study desk display.

Store the item away from direct sunlight and heat sources, dust gently with a clean microfibre cloth, and refrain from using harsh chemical cleansers on the frame or lenses.
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