Theatre binoculars - 1910-1920 - Antares e sconosciuto

Two-box theatre binocular set consisting of:
Pocket binoculars (opera glasses). The structural frame, the telescoping tubes, and the joining bridges are made of brass (which shows the characteristic patina of time and oxidation). The coating of the lower barrels, the eyepiece rings, and the central focus wheel are made of bone. Focus adjustable but not perfectly—the view is clear. The object is intact in its structure, but shows evident signs of age. In particular, there is a deep vertical crack on the bone covering of the left barrel, a defect very common in this type of object due to the natural shrinking and hardening of the organic material over the years. Brand unnamed, but built to the standards of the great optical laboratories of the era. The item dates to the early 20th century (circa 1910/15), France, in the height of the Belle Époque, an era in which theatre binoculars were fashion accessories of great popularity and a status symbol for the upper middle class who frequented the opera. Size: height 8.8 x 10.2 x 3.8 cm.
Compact theatre binoculars (opera glass) with a leather case slightly detached on one side (see photo), with a decidedly more modern, minimal, and geometric style compared to the bone-prepared predecessor. It features a fixed magnification of 2.5X, ideal for use in enclosed spaces like theatres or arenas to preserve brightness and image stability. Focusing is adjusted via the central black knurled wheel. The design plays with a strong color and material contrast. The central body and the oculars combine glossy black with chrome/silver finishes, while the lower barrels (the objective barrels) are covered in red leather. Brand: Antares (accompanied by a small stylized logo on the left that recalls a star or radiant sun, a nod to the name Antares, which is one of the brightest stars in the sky). This model sits perfectly in the second half of the 20th century, most likely between the 1960s and 1970s, produced in Japan. Please note that the mini-binocular works well with the focusing control. Size: height 4.9 x 9.3 x 3 cm.