We have the pleasure to offer this superb antique Lorngette dating to the Victorian / Art Nouveau era circa 1890, and crafted in France, from 950 grade silver.  This beautifully detailed piece effortlessly combines the elegance of the Victorian era with the intricate details of the Art Nouveau movement, making it a remarkable addition to any antique collection.

The handle is adorned with striking Repoussé scroll motifs which extends to the body of the lorgnette, reflecting the artistic aesthetics of the Art Nouveau period.  Designed to be both functional and fashionable, this lorgnette features a spring loaded release and folding mechanism, which allows for easy storage and portability.

With a simple flick, the lorgnette elegantly unfolds, revealing its spectacle lenses which, given their age, are in lovely condition with only very very superficial marks to the lenses.

Whether you are a collector, a lover of antique accessories, or simply appreciate the timeless beauty of vintage craftsmanship, this Antique Victorian/Art Nouveau French Folding Lorgnette is a wonderful choice!

History of Lorgnettes

The name lorgnette derives from the French word lorgner – meaning “to ogle” or “to eye furtively”.  By the 19th century well-dressed ladies wore ‘long chains’ from which were suspended watches or lorgnettes, as well as lockets and other useful implements.

A lorgnette is, quite simply, a pair of spectacles mounted on a handle. The precursor to modern opera glasses, lorgnettes were a common sight during the 19th century at the theatre as well as the opera. With the addition of a spring mechanism, the lorgnette transcended its role as an accessory for the theater or opera, becoming instead an accessory of daily, practical use.

STONES
None

MEASUREMENTS
13cm Long with bale
Lenses - 12cm in length

WEIGHT
39 Grams

MARKS
‘Crab’  French hallmark for small silver items guarantee mark to lens nose piece and bottom loop
Bigorne stamps also lens nose piece rims, bottom loop

CONDITION
Very very good antique condition.  Glasses release and propel fluidly.  Clasp secures glasses without issue.  No dents, repairs or damage.  Silver patina here and there.  Original oval bale.  Very very superficial marks to lenses, nothing deep, very faint.  Lenses appear to be prescription for original wearer.  A beautiful piece of French workmanship.

What is Bigorne?

In order to prevent and detect fraud of hallmarked silver articles, French authorities instituted, by Ordinance of 1st July 1818, a system of countermarks on the opposite side of the guarantee mark.

These countermarks are known as "bigornes".

The term bigorne literally means two-horned anvil or two-beaked anvil and refers to the shape of the projecting ends of the anvil. Each anvil has two striking areas, one flat and one of rounded shape. The rounded horn served to mark hollowware and the flat horn was used to mark flatware.

The projecting ends of the small anvil were intricately engraved with varied and finely drawn representations of insects. The silver article was placed on the beak/horn of the steel anvil and when the guarantee mark was struck, the force of the strike created a counter-impression of insects on the underside of the article against the anvil.