Smoke Glass Spectacles
Subject
Accessories
Title
Smoke Glass Spectacles
Date
ca. 1855 - 1880
Description
These spectacles, made with French or blue steel frames and tinted lenses, have a crank-style bridge and ladies-style temples or ear pieces. Their small size, oval-shaped lenses and tinted glass suggest they were worn by a woman in the mid-19th century.
In the Victorian Era (1837 - 1901) "spectacles" were defined as eyeglass frames held to the face by means of resting the sidepieces or temples over each ear. "Eyeglasses" were without temples, with the frame resting on the nose bridge of the wearer. The optics, or lenses, could correct for near- or far-sightedness, or be used as sunglasses.
In the Victorian Era (1837 - 1901) "spectacles" were defined as eyeglass frames held to the face by means of resting the sidepieces or temples over each ear. "Eyeglasses" were without temples, with the frame resting on the nose bridge of the wearer. The optics, or lenses, could correct for near- or far-sightedness, or be used as sunglasses.
Source
Donor: Alice Howland
Identifier
URI 1957.16.26
Contributor
Bree Kieon
Collection
Citation
“Smoke Glass Spectacles,” Historic Textile and Costume Collection, accessed May 2, 2024, https://uritextilecollection.omeka.net/items/show/289.