Description: A pair of lacquered brass and mother of pearl opera glasses with an extended handle. W.A. Pfister Sheboygan hallmarked on the left eyepiece and Balland FT Paris on the right one.


History: Opera glasses, also known as theater binoculars or Galilean binoculars, are compact, low-power optical magnification devices, usually used at performance events, whose name is derived from traditional use at opera performances. Magnification power below 5x— is usually desired in these circumstances in order to minimize image shake and maintain a large enough field of view. A magnification of 3x is normally recommended. The design of many modern opera glasses of the ornamental variety is based on the popular lorgnettes of the 19th century.

Provenance: FL Estate


Dimensions: Weight (Pounds & Ounces) = 0.45 | Height(in) = 2.5 | Width(in) = 5 | Depth(in) = 2

Size of Artwork(in): 2.5 x 5 x 2"


Artist Name: Balland, Paris


Medium: Brass, mother of pearl


Circa: Circa 1900

Good working order and clear lenses. Minimal amount of tarnish and pitting on surface of frame. One 1/2 ' by 1' piece of mother of pearl missing from middle of handle.