Description

A  folding and locking lorgnette/monocle in solid silver ( hallmarked Chester and attributed to James Beebe or James Barber-latest possible date 1839, earliest 1811-I am not good with Gothic hallmarks) in a spectacular and flawless, silver mounted and highly decorated shagreen/ green ray skin case with cherub playing harp and blank monogram plate. The case is NOT hallmarked (as case makers did not belong to the Silversmith’s Guild) but tests for at least 0.925 Sterling. Pink velvet lined and in a highly stylised/ornate manner designed for a woman. The folding lorgnette/quizzing glass works and locks cleanly and the lenses have no scratches (rarely used). There is room in the case for a fine silver neck chain that would have attached to the end loop of the reading glasses (can be hand held with loop with double the magnification). Lens diameter 1 1/8 inches (3 cm.), case dimensions 4 x 2 x 1 inches (10 x 5 x 2.5 cm.) with secure, push button closure. NO issues, NO ray skin losses. A finer set you will not see for some time.