Theatre binoculars - 1910-1920 - Antares e sconosciuto

Two theater binoculars set consisting of:
Pocket opera/teaspoon binoculars. The main framework, the telescopic tubes and the joining bridges are made of brass (which bears the typical patina of time and oxidation). The coating of the lower barrels, the eyepiece collars, and the central focus wheel are made of bone. Focus is adjustable but not entirely; the view is clear. The object is structurally intact, but shows evident signs of time. In particular, there is a pronounced 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 stiffening of the organic material over the years. Anonymous brand, but produced following the standards of the great optical laboratories of the era. The object can be dated to the early 20th century (circa 1910/15), France, during the Belle Époque, an era in which theater binoculars were fashion accessories of great prestige 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 theater binoculars (or opera glasses) with a leather case slightly detached on one side (see photo), decidedly more modern, minimalist and geometric in style compared with the bone predecessor. It features a fixed magnification of 2.5x, ideal for use in enclosed spaces like theaters or arenas to preserve brightness and image stability. Focusing is adjusted via the central black knurled wheel. The design plays on a strong chromatic and textural contrast. The central body and the oculars combine glossy black with chromed/silvery finishes, while the lower barrels (the objective barrels) are wrapped in red leather of a striking vibrant color. Brand: Antares (paired with a small stylized logo on the left recalling a star or a radiant sun, a nod to the name Antares, which is one of the brightest stars in the sky). This model sits squarely in the second half of the 20th century, most likely between the 1960s and 1970s, produced in Japan. Please note that the mini-binoculars work well with focusing control. Size: height 4.9 x 9.3 x 3 cm.