{"product_id":"antique-faux-tortoiseshell-lorgnette","title":"Antique Faux Tortoiseshell Lorgnette","description":"\u003cp\u003eAn Edwardian faux tortoiseshell lorgnette - an elegant pair of fine oval spectacles attached to a long mock-tortoiseshell arm. The glasses fold away into the handle, and the handle would have been attached to a fine chain or thread and hung about the user's neck. The spectacles were held up to the face as and when needed - to observe, such as at the theatre or when taking a sidelong look.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe word\u003cspan class=\"apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003elorgnette\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan class=\"apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis derived from the French\u003cspan class=\"apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003elorgner\u003c\/i\u003e, to take a sidelong look at, and Middle French, from\u003cspan class=\"apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003elorgne\u003c\/i\u003e, squinting. The lorgnette was usually used as a piece of\u003cspan class=\"apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ejewelry rather than to enhance vision, and fashionable 19\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e century ladies of the period usually preferred them to spectacles. They were very popular at \u003cspan class=\"apple-converted-space\"\u003emasquerades \u003c\/span\u003eand used often at the opera, yet the lorgnette was mainly employed as a prop for affectation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDimensions: Length of handle 25cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCountry of origin: UK\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDate of manufacture: c.1900\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaterial: Xylonite faux tortoiseshell\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition: excellent\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"A G Hendy \u0026 Co Homestore","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55532297519480,"sku":"V112","price":125.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0465\/9889\/files\/Antique_tortoise_shell_lorgnette_spectacles.jpg?v=1776255349","url":"https:\/\/shop.aghendy.com\/products\/antique-faux-tortoiseshell-lorgnette","provider":"A G Hendy \u0026 Co Homestore","version":"1.0","type":"link"}