Antique Opera Glasses – Ornate Gilt Floral Decoration – Belle Époque, c. 1900 An elegant and richly decorated pair of antique opera glasses, dating to approximately 1890–1910, featuring elaborate gilt-coloured floral ornamentation against a finely textured dark background. The two trumpet-shaped barrels are decorated with symmetrical scrolling foliage, acanthus-like leaves, delicate blossoms and beaded borders. The contrasting silver-coloured metal fittings, polished eyepieces and exposed brass tubes create a particularly attractive combination of colours and materials. The ornamental design reflects the decorative taste of the late Victorian and Belle Époque periods, when opera glasses were not merely optical instruments but also fashionable personal accessories carried to theatres, operas and other performances. The construction features a traditional central focusing mechanism, connecting metal bridges and compact Galilean-style optical barrels, characteristic of European theatre binoculars of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The dating to circa 1890–1910 is based on the barrel construction, focusing mechanism and decorative metalwork, which correspond to examples from this period. The manufacturer is unknown, as no maker's mark or inscription has been identified. A continental European origin, possibly French, is considered plausible but cannot be confirmed. The opera glasses remain in good antique condition, with their elaborate floral decoration well preserved. The central focusing mechanism has been tested and operates correctly, and the optics provide a clear view. There are minor scratches, tarnishing and surface wear consistent with age and use, including some wear around the lens surrounds and a small chip to the rim of the central focusing wheel. These details are visible in the photographs and do not prevent normal focusing. - Measurements: Width: 10 cm Length closed: 7 cm Length extended: 9 cm Objective housing diameter: 4 cm Weight: 167 g A decorative and functional example of antique theatre binoculars, combining historical optical design with elaborate period ornamentation. The item will be carefully packed and shipped with tracking.