Description: A pair of cast brass opera glasses. The barrels are cast with a geometric pattern and still have a good brass patina. The frame is nickel coated and stamped on the field lens end, "MADE IN OCCUPIED JAPAN."


History: America occupied Japan from August 1945 until April 28, 1952. Not all products made in Japan between 1946 and April 1952 are marked "Made in Occupied Japan" or "Occupied Japan." Some pieces simply were marked "Japan" or "Made in Japan." However, collectors of Occupied Japan material insist that "Occupied" be found in the mark for an item to be considered a true Occupied Japan collectible. 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 5× is usually desired in these circumstances in order to minimize image shake and maintain a large enough field of view. A magnification of 3× 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) = 0.331 | Height(in) = 2.25 | Width(in) = 3.75 | Depth(in) = 1.5

Size of Artwork(in): 2.25 x 3.75 x 1.5"


Artist Name: Occupied Japan


Medium: Brass, nickel coated.


Circa: Circa 1950

Good mechanical working order. Some pitting and tarnish on frame. The hard plastic adjustment wheel has one age crack.