Historical glasses, spectacle cases, and optical oddities and curiosities from the private collection of Dr. Andrew S. Miller, O.D.
Opera Glasses
No optical museum would be complete without a collection of opera glasses. In the 1800s and early 1900s, opera glasses and lorgnettes were the mainstay of social, entertainment and sporting events. Just as women would try to outdo each other with hats, opera glasses gave women a chance to flamboyantly showcase their accessories. The Eyeseum has a small but eclectic variety of opera glasses and lorgnettes.
Hand painted enamaled opera glasses were the epitome of high French fashion during the mid 19th century. Often showing scenes of two lovers, they are highly valued amongst collectors for their beauty and elegance.Reverse sideThis incredible pair of opera glasses had the optics manufactured by Negretti and Zambra, opticians to the Queen, with the ivory carved in Japan, imported by an optical company in Philadelphia, and acquired from the estate of a private collector in Seattle. c. 1860Japanese hallmarkNegretti and ZambraFrench enameled scene of birds, c. 1870Rare pair of porcelain opera glasses / binoculars. Most manufacturers stayed away from porcelain due to it’s fragility. This has no makers mark, leading us to believe it was a commissioned piece. Abalone and Brass, ParisOpera glasses made from bone and brassHand painted French enamel of flowersIvory with tortoiseshell eyepieces, made in England by the optician to the University Hospital, 187012K gold filled embossed with roses and leaves, Paris.Embroidered with embroidered handle and case.Guilloch enamel, unkown origin, c. 1890Brass Egyptian themed opera glass, WWII, made in occupied Japan.Collapsible aluminum, London, c.1920Enameled aluminum, Germany, 1880sHand painted enamel with cherub painted on handle, ParisRare horned mother of pearl opera glasses with handle, Paris, circa 1890Etched brass and snake skin opera glassesPair of Jumelles Mars “skeleton” opera glasses, made famous by Sherlock Holmes in the novels by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in the 1890sOpera glasses made from black mother of pearl found in the French Polynesia Tortoiseshell Black enameled.Brushed aluminumMother-of-pearl and brass
