Antique French Lemaire Paris Mother-of-Pearl Opera Glasses with Original Fitted Case
Antique French Lemaire Paris Mother-of-Pearl Opera Glasses with Original Fitted Case
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Additional Description:
An elegant pair of antique French opera glasses by Lemaire Fabt Paris, richly clad in luminous mother-of-pearl panels and mounted in gilt brass. The tapered barrels display beautifully iridescent natural shell with flashes of pink, green, cream, and silver, while mother-of-pearl eyepiece surrounds complete the refined presentation.
The central focusing wheel is also faced in ribbed mother-of-pearl and adjusts the telescoping barrels. Both eyepieces are signed “Lemaire Fabt Paris” and bear the firm’s small bee or fly trademark.
The glasses retain their original shaped carrying case, covered in dark leather and lined in brown silk or satin. Compact opera glasses of this type were fashionable accessories for theater and opera patrons during the Belle Époque and were designed to be both useful optical instruments and luxurious personal objects.
Era:
French, late 19th to early 20th century, likely circa 1890–1910.
History:
Lemaire was a prominent Parisian manufacturer and retailer of optical instruments, particularly opera glasses and binoculars. The firm produced examples in brass, enamel, leather, ivory, and mother-of-pearl, often marking its products “Lemaire Fabt Paris,” an abbreviation of fabricant, or manufacturer.
Mother-of-pearl opera glasses were especially popular during the late Victorian and Belle Époque periods, when fashionable theater accessories were selected to coordinate with evening dress and jewelry. A comparable pair attributed to Lemaire and dated circa 1900 sold at auction for $225, while dealer prices for well-preserved examples can reach approximately $350.
Provenance:
Acquired through the antiques and decorative arts trade. Earlier ownership is unknown.
Materials:
Mother-of-pearl, gilt brass or brass alloy, optical glass, leather-covered case, and silk or satin lining.
Dimensions:
Please provide the overall width, height, and depth of the opera glasses and case for the completed listing.
Condition:
Antique condition with wear consistent with age and use. The mother-of-pearl panels appear largely intact and retain attractive iridescence, with possible fine surface scratches, natural irregularities, and minor separation at panel edges. The gilt-brass mounts show rubbing, tarnish, oxidation, dark spotting, and surface marks.
The focusing mechanism appears present but should be described as working only after confirming that it turns smoothly and brings the image into focus. The lenses may show dust, haze, scratches, internal debris, or optical distortion and have not been professionally cleaned or serviced.
The original case shows notable wear, including rubbing, surface loss, edge deterioration, oxidation and verdigris around the metal frame and clasp, and fading, staining, impressions, and possible splitting to the interior lining. The clasp should be described as functional only if tested.
Disclaimers:
The circa 1890–1910 date is based on the form, materials, maker’s mark, and comparable examples rather than a documented production record for this individual pair. The shell is identified visually as mother-of-pearl and has not been laboratory tested. Optical performance has not been professionally assessed. Antique opera glasses are offered primarily as decorative and collectible objects and may require servicing for regular use.
Additional Description:
An elegant pair of antique French opera glasses by Lemaire Fabt Paris, richly clad in luminous mother-of-pearl panels and mounted in gilt brass. The tapered barrels display beautifully iridescent natural shell with flashes of pink, green, cream, and silver, while mother-of-pearl eyepiece surrounds complete the refined presentation.
The central focusing wheel is also faced in ribbed mother-of-pearl and adjusts the telescoping barrels. Both eyepieces are signed “Lemaire Fabt Paris” and bear the firm’s small bee or fly trademark.
The glasses retain their original shaped carrying case, covered in dark leather and lined in brown silk or satin. Compact opera glasses of this type were fashionable accessories for theater and opera patrons during the Belle Époque and were designed to be both useful optical instruments and luxurious personal objects.
Era:
French, late 19th to early 20th century, likely circa 1890–1910.
History:
Lemaire was a prominent Parisian manufacturer and retailer of optical instruments, particularly opera glasses and binoculars. The firm produced examples in brass, enamel, leather, ivory, and mother-of-pearl, often marking its products “Lemaire Fabt Paris,” an abbreviation of fabricant, or manufacturer.
Mother-of-pearl opera glasses were especially popular during the late Victorian and Belle Époque periods, when fashionable theater accessories were selected to coordinate with evening dress and jewelry. A comparable pair attributed to Lemaire and dated circa 1900 sold at auction for $225, while dealer prices for well-preserved examples can reach approximately $350.
Provenance:
Acquired through the antiques and decorative arts trade. Earlier ownership is unknown.
Materials:
Mother-of-pearl, gilt brass or brass alloy, optical glass, leather-covered case, and silk or satin lining.
Dimensions:
Please provide the overall width, height, and depth of the opera glasses and case for the completed listing.
Condition:
Antique condition with wear consistent with age and use. The mother-of-pearl panels appear largely intact and retain attractive iridescence, with possible fine surface scratches, natural irregularities, and minor separation at panel edges. The gilt-brass mounts show rubbing, tarnish, oxidation, dark spotting, and surface marks.
The focusing mechanism appears present but should be described as working only after confirming that it turns smoothly and brings the image into focus. The lenses may show dust, haze, scratches, internal debris, or optical distortion and have not been professionally cleaned or serviced.
The original case shows notable wear, including rubbing, surface loss, edge deterioration, oxidation and verdigris around the metal frame and clasp, and fading, staining, impressions, and possible splitting to the interior lining. The clasp should be described as functional only if tested.
Disclaimers:
The circa 1890–1910 date is based on the form, materials, maker’s mark, and comparable examples rather than a documented production record for this individual pair. The shell is identified visually as mother-of-pearl and has not been laboratory tested. Optical performance has not been professionally assessed. Antique opera glasses are offered primarily as decorative and collectible objects and may require servicing for regular use.