VERY RARE 19th C. Opera Glasses, Binoculars - Sevres Style French Enamel Figural
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:114506 | Victorian Era Antique: Circa 1840 - 1915 |
| Original/Reproduction: Original | Sub-Style: French |
| Type: Opera Glasses - Binoculars | Material: Enamel |
| Color: Multi-Color |
VERY RARE 19th c. Opera Glasses, Binoculars - Sevres Style French Enamel Figural ...
Lovely and elegant, this antique French kiln-fired enamel opera glass was sized and elaborately decorated for use in the opulent European theaters for operas, ballets, concerts, etc. This is a high quality piece artistically adorned with tiny paintings (in enamel powder, kiln-fired to a glassine finish) depicting courting couples in pastoral settings. This process took a very ...skilled artisan. The enamel remains amazingly intact after all these years!
CONDITION: Very nice condition! The enamel remains very smooth and the coloring of the painting is completely preserved in both it's color and detail. There is possibly one very tiny ding on the dress of one of the women-- not sure if it is a minute flaw from time or from the original firing. The gilded metal is in nice shape showing some rub from time and use. The mechanisms all rotate smoothly.The glass lenses are clear and have no cracks or chips. I did find one tiny ding that is of no consequence on one of the large lenses. The Mother of Pearl is in very nice condition with the embossed lettering still very clear and crisp. The telescope mechanism still works well and the Focus Wheel turns freely.
CIRCA: Victorian Era -- 1840-1915
MARKINGS: (as best as I can make out...)On the gilded metal top bridge: JUMELLE PERFECTIONNEEOn the Mother of Pearl eye cups: Left- Charles Gaggini / Opticien . Right- Rue de L'Cehelle.l / a. Paris (I have included an illustration of his shop in Paris in the photos provided. You can see the rows of binoculars in his window display!)On the side of both brass barrels: Emblem of a Crown with "R I" engraved under it.
The engraved hallmark on the barrels is very unique... I have not been able to find any opera glasses that have any engraving on the barrels themselves. It could indicate these were given specifically as a presentation gift honoring someone "special" or given from someone "special". One site addressing the history of opera glasses stated that many opera glasses were given as gifts and tributes and so bear an engraving accordingly. (If anyone knows something about this hallmark, I'd appreciate learning more about it!)
This rare pair of French Opera Glasses is very finely crafted with a lot of attention to detail. There are ribbed bands on the gilded metal and even the Mother of Pearl focus wheel has the added detail of a grid engraved pattern. The porcelain is amazing in its quality, done in the style of Sevres pieces from that same time period--very possibly these are indeed unmarked Sevres. Overall the glasses have a nice weighty feel of quality and substance.
This item will be shipped insured. PLEASE NOTE: Signature upon delivery will be required. Feel free to email with any questions you may have.
THANKS for looking! Please be sure to check out my other listings of vintage and antique items.
Lovely and elegant, this antique French kiln-fired enamel opera glass was sized and elaborately decorated for use in the opulent European theaters for operas, ballets, concerts, etc. This is a high quality piece artistically adorned with tiny paintings (in enamel powder, kiln-fired to a glassine finish) depicting courting couples in pastoral settings. This process took a very ...skilled artisan. The enamel remains amazingly intact after all these years!
CONDITION: Very nice condition! The enamel remains very smooth and the coloring of the painting is completely preserved in both it's color and detail. There is possibly one very tiny ding on the dress of one of the women-- not sure if it is a minute flaw from time or from the original firing. The gilded metal is in nice shape showing some rub from time and use. The mechanisms all rotate smoothly.The glass lenses are clear and have no cracks or chips. I did find one tiny ding that is of no consequence on one of the large lenses. The Mother of Pearl is in very nice condition with the embossed lettering still very clear and crisp. The telescope mechanism still works well and the Focus Wheel turns freely.
CIRCA: Victorian Era -- 1840-1915
MARKINGS: (as best as I can make out...)On the gilded metal top bridge: JUMELLE PERFECTIONNEEOn the Mother of Pearl eye cups: Left- Charles Gaggini / Opticien . Right- Rue de L'Cehelle.l / a. Paris (I have included an illustration of his shop in Paris in the photos provided. You can see the rows of binoculars in his window display!)On the side of both brass barrels: Emblem of a Crown with "R I" engraved under it.
The engraved hallmark on the barrels is very unique... I have not been able to find any opera glasses that have any engraving on the barrels themselves. It could indicate these were given specifically as a presentation gift honoring someone "special" or given from someone "special". One site addressing the history of opera glasses stated that many opera glasses were given as gifts and tributes and so bear an engraving accordingly. (If anyone knows something about this hallmark, I'd appreciate learning more about it!)
This rare pair of French Opera Glasses is very finely crafted with a lot of attention to detail. There are ribbed bands on the gilded metal and even the Mother of Pearl focus wheel has the added detail of a grid engraved pattern. The porcelain is amazing in its quality, done in the style of Sevres pieces from that same time period--very possibly these are indeed unmarked Sevres. Overall the glasses have a nice weighty feel of quality and substance.
This item will be shipped insured. PLEASE NOTE: Signature upon delivery will be required. Feel free to email with any questions you may have.
THANKS for looking! Please be sure to check out my other listings of vintage and antique items.
