Before radio and television and Netflix, people had to leave their homes to find great entertainment. Theaters, music halls and opera houses provided much amusement—and gave the fashionable set a place to see-and-be-seen. A common accessory in Nineteenth and early Twentieth Century auditoriums was a handsome pair of opera glasses. Most opera glasses were fairly low-powered; 3x magnification was recommended. Most theatres were not too big. And the subject to be scrutinized was never too far away. Furthermore, over-powered opera glasses would provide too much "shake"—not to mention the nausea of seeing the world spin before one's eyes.
The Art Nouveau opera glasses, shown above, were made around the Turn-of-the-Twentieth-Century. They are marked "Chevalier, Paris." This legendary French optical firm was founded in 1765 by Vincent Chevalier. His son, Charles, took-over the family firm in 1841, followed later by his grandson, Louis Marie Arthur. Charles and Arthur really grew the company throughout the Nineteenth Century. Besides opera glasses—which came in a wide range of styles to suit any pocketbook—Chevalier made lenses for early cameras, microscopes and cameras obscura. Chevalier won many awards at the Paris Expositions of 1855 and 1878. I have found conflicting data about the final closing of the company: either 1889 or in the 1920's.
This pair of opera glasses, probably made for a "mid-range" customer, is fashioned of mixed metals for a handsome, semi-industrial appearance. On the body of the glasses—to decorate the simple design and to provide improved grip for the holder—is a bas relief scene of sweet birds alighting upon fruited cherry branches. Click on the photo above to learn more about these handsome opera glasses.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
We also can be found in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248