Unsigned - Lorgnette

Antique Folding Tortoiseshell Lorgnette, Gilt Frame, Late 19th–Early 20th Century

An elegant lorgnette with a folding handle (sometimes called a “binocle”), finely made and typical of the Belle Époque.

The two round lenses are rimmed with gilt metal, featuring finely molded lines, and joined by a curved bridge hinged with screw pivots. The lorgnette folds into the handle, an ingenious and highly prized mechanism. A small side button is visible on the handle. At the junction of the handle and the lens, a finely chased shell-and-foliage ornament in the Rocaille style adds a refined decorative touch.

More than just a beautiful object, this is a collectible that evokes the elegance of an era when one would consult the menu or opera program with a graceful gesture. It would make a lovely display piece for a cabinet of curiosities or a collection of antique accessories.