Stunning French Art Deco hinged platinum lorgnette with rose cuts and onyx

This platinum Art Deco lorgnette from 1920 shows you the bright side of life through its pair of glasses tucked in with a hidden spring system. Things no longer have to be dull and grey with the black and white pattern of 104 rose cut diamonds and 64 calibré cut onyx stones.

Antique jewelry object group: ladies accessories
This particular type of lorgnette has a hidden system in its stem that, by moving it slowly down with the tip of your fingers, will release a spring that will open the closed lorgnette with one glass and makes it into a double-glazed lorgnette.

Country of origin: France

Style: Art Deco
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Style specifics: Abstract motives and geometrical forms are quite typical for the Art Deco period.

Period: ca. 1920
(events and facts in 1920)

Material: platinum
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Diamonds: 104 (!) rose cut diamonds. We do not have the weight of the diamonds which is normal in our trade when it comes to rose cuts.

Precious stones: 64 calibré cut onyx stones
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Birthstones: Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April and onyx for July.
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More background information on: A lorgnette (or face-à-main) is a pair of glasses (or opera glasses) held by a long handle at one side mostly used by the (well-to-do) ladies.
The first lorgnette were designed by Englishman George Adams around 1780. Before that they were the so called scissors glasses, that were difficult to use during a conversation, because the stem or handle was in front of the mouth. With the handle aside the use became easier.
The first lorgnette consisted of two large round glasses glasses with, on one side, a fixed long handle. Some types were designed in such way that that it was possible to slide the glasses into the stem, so they were protected from scratches. Around 1818 the Frenchman M. Lepage designed the hinged lorgnette, with double folded glasses that disappeared in the stem. The glasses were thus smaller and more graceful.

Hallmarks: The French control mark for platinum representing a dog's head that was in use in France from about 1912.
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Condition: very good condition (there is sign of wear on the glass, but we decided not to replace them as the future owner might want to replace them anyway)
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Dimensions: diameter one glass (plus its holding) 3.78 cm (1.49 inch); length in closed condition 11.15 cm (4.39 inch), width from glasses when open 10.00 cm (3.94 inch)

Weight: 30.40 gram (19.55 dwt)

Reference Nº: 09306-4364

See also our:
art deco jewelry, platinum jewelry, jewelry with rose cut diamonds, jewelry with diamond, jewelry with onyx , latest acquisitions,
antique jewelry, estate jewelry, vintage jewelry or modern jewelry

Jewelry with birthstones (or month stones) for:
January - February - March - April - May - June - July
August - September - October - November or December.


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