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ID #SA863663
FOR SALE
£1,035
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Antique Cased Optometrist's Set, English, Optical Instrument, Boxed, Victorian
For sale by London Fine Antiques
for sale €1,211     $1,314
£1,035
London Fine Antiques

London Fine Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2010
Browse dealers 945 items
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    Fine antiques curated in england and sold worldwide
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Id #SA863663
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Antique Cased Optometrist's Set, English, Optical Instrument, Boxed, Victorian

1900 - 1920
Description

This is an antique cased optometrist's set. An English, mahogany optical instrument box, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.

Fine display value to this cased set

Displaying a desirable aged patina throughout

211 lens inserts present for the left and right eyes

Commensurate with age and commercial use, some lenses absent

Quality case, with fine grain interest and rich caramel hues

Charming rotary latches secure the case, with inset lock to centre — key absent

Brass name plaque to the lid, unmarked with weathered appearance

Lid interior lined with blue, silk cotton fabric - some minor loss

Magnifying glass and adjustment measure add further interest

This is a delightful antique cased optometrist's set, with great display appeal and scientific interest. Ideal for showcasing within a collection or an institution. Delivered polished and ready to enjoy.

Dimensions:

Max Width: 44cm (17.25'')

Max Depth: 36cm (14.25'')

Max Height: 6.5cm (2.5'')

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee with all of our antiques.

We ship worldwide with professional packing and attractive rates – please send us your post / zip code and country for a quote.

Free delivery to most of the U.K. – Please send us your post code for confirmation.

Deliveries taking on average ten working days to arrive at your door from receipt of payment.

Please contact us if you require any further information - we are here to help.

Our Ref: 18.8128

Physical Dimensions
Height
6.5cm (2.56")
Width
44cm (17.32")
Depth
36cm (14.17")
Declaration

London Fine Antiques has dated this Victorian Optometrist Trial Set to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA863663
Dealers Internal Reference
18.8128
Dealers Notes

What our clients have to say: https://www.londonfine.co.uk/pages/reviews

Description
This is an antique cased optometrist's set. An English, mahogany optical instrument box, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.

Fine display value to this cased set

Displaying a desirable aged patina throughout

fig 1. An open Victorian wooden case featuring rows of circular optical lenses with metal rims set against a blue moire silk lined lid.
fig 1. Antique Cased Optometrist's Set, English, Optical Instrument, Boxed, Victorian

211 lens inserts present for the left and right eyes

Commensurate with age and commercial use, some lenses absent

Quality case, with fine grain interest and rich caramel hues

Charming rotary latches secure the case, with inset lock to centre — key absent

fig 2. An open Victorian wooden case featuring rows of circular optical lenses with metal rims set against a blue moire silk lined lid.
fig 2. Antique Cased Optometrist's Set, English, Optical Instrument, Boxed, Victorian

Brass name plaque to the lid, unmarked with weathered appearance

Lid interior lined with blue, silk cotton fabric - some minor loss

Magnifying glass and adjustment measure add further interest

“
This is a delightful antique cased optometrist's set, with great display appeal and scientific interest.
London Fine Antiques

Ideal for showcasing within a collection or an institution. Delivered polished and ready to enjoy.

fig 3. An open Victorian wooden case featuring rows of circular optical lenses with metal rims set against a blue moire silk lined lid.
fig 3. Antique Cased Optometrist's Set, English, Optical Instrument, Boxed, Victorian

Dimensions:

Max Width: 44cm (17.25'')

Max Depth: 36cm (14.25'')

Max Height: 6.5cm (2.5'')

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee with all of our antiques.

We ship worldwide with professional packing and attractive rates – please send us your post / zip code and country for a quote.

fig 4. An open Victorian wooden case featuring rows of circular optical lenses with metal rims set against a blue moire silk lined lid.
fig 4. Antique Cased Optometrist's Set, English, Optical Instrument, Boxed, Victorian

Free delivery to most of the U.K. – Please send us your post code for confirmation.

Deliveries taking on average ten working days to arrive at your door from receipt of payment.

Please contact us if you require any further information - we are here to help.

Our Ref: 18.8128

Height
6.5cm (2.56")
Width
44cm (17.32")
Depth
36cm (14.17")
Date of Manufacture

London Fine Antiques has dated this Victorian Optometrist Trial Set to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA863663
Dealers Internal Ref
18.8128
London Fine Antiques
London Fine Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2010

Fine antiques curated in england and sold worldwide

Dealer Profile

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

PDF SHARE
SAVE
An open Victorian wooden case featuring rows of circular optical lenses with metal rims set against a blue moire silk lined lid.
1 / 9
Archive I An open Victorian wooden case featuring rows of circular optical lenses with metal rims set against a blue moire silk lined lid.

Antique Cased Optometrist's Set, English, Optical Instrument, Boxed, Victorian

Archive II An open Victorian wooden case featuring rows of circular optical lenses with metal rims set against a blue moire silk lined lid. View II
Archive III An open Victorian wooden case featuring rows of circular optical lenses with metal rims set against a blue moire silk lined lid. View III
Archive IV An open Victorian wooden case featuring rows of circular optical lenses with metal rims set against a blue moire silk lined lid. View IV
Archive V An open Victorian wooden case featuring rows of circular optical lenses with metal rims set against a blue moire silk lined lid. View V
Archive VI An open Victorian wooden case featuring rows of circular optical lenses with metal rims set against a blue moire silk lined lid. View VI
Archive VII An open Victorian wooden case featuring rows of circular optical lenses with metal rims set against a blue moire silk lined lid. View VII
Archive VIII An open Victorian wooden case featuring rows of circular optical lenses with metal rims set against a blue moire silk lined lid. View VIII
Archive IX An open Victorian wooden case featuring rows of circular optical lenses with metal rims set against a blue moire silk lined lid. View IX
Enlarged Archival View
London Fine Antiques

London Fine Antiques
Telephone 0207 1833511
Location
The Antique Village
Hele
Exeter
Devon
EX5 4PW
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/londonfineantiques
Verified Since Oct 2010
Items For Sale 945
Items Sold 5,652
London Fine Antiques
London Fine Antiques
Verified Since Oct 2010
View Dealer Info
Location: The Antique Village, Hele, Exeter, Devon , EX5 4PW, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/londonfineantiques
Verified
Oct 2010
For Sale
945
Sold
5,652
An open Victorian wooden case featuring rows of circular optical lenses with metal rims set against a blue moire silk lined lid.
Antique Cased Optometrist's Set, English, Optical Instrument, Boxed, Victorian
Ref: SA863663
An open Victorian wooden case featuring rows of circular optical lenses with metal rims set against a blue moire silk lined lid.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectScientific & Medical Instruments
  • Period1900 - 1920
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialMahogany, Glass, Brass, Silk
  • ColourWarm Brown
  • MotifsMoire silk lining, Brass lens rims, Fitted wooden case, Dovetail joints
  • SizeH 6.5 cm (3 in) x W 44 cm (17 in) x D 36 cm (14 in)

This Victorian English optometrist's set dates from around 1900. Housed in a mahogany box with fine grain interest, rich caramel hues, and dovetail joints, the collection includes glass optical lenses framed in brass rims. The lid opens to reveal an interior lined in blue moire silk cotton fabric with a weathered appearance, accompanied by rotary latches, a central inset lock, and a brass name plaque. The instrument box measures 6.5 cm high, 44 cm wide, and 36 cm deep, displaying an aged patina with some minor fabric loss and absent lenses consistent with commercial use. Positioned on an office desk or within a gentleman's library, the piece serves as a striking scientific display object. Collectors of medical instruments can place the mahogany box flat on a study surface to showcase the array of left and right eye lenses. The fitted wooden case protects the contents while offering decorative appeal for a study or library setting.

FAQs

A trial lens set is an antique ophthalmic testing apparatus utilised by opticians and optometrists in the late nineteenth century to evaluate visual acuity and calculate spectacle lens prescriptions.

These sets were constructed using hardwood cases such as mahogany or oak, lined with moire silk or velvet, and fitted with brass hardware alongside glass lenses mounted in polished brass or nickel rims.

Authentic pieces exhibit hand-fitted wooden joinery, period brass hinges and locks, numerical dioptre markings stamped onto individual metal lens rims, and natural age-related oxidisation.

A cased trial lens set can be displayed open on a desk, console table, or library shelf, where the metallic rims and fabric interior serve as a curiosity accent.

Store the set away from direct sunlight and moisture to prevent silk degradation and wood warping, dusting the glass and brass gently with a dry microfibre cloth.
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