Spectacles and Case
Subject
Accessories
Title
Spectacles and Case
Date
ca. 1810 - 1820
Description
These are a simple pair of glasses with small lenses set within a coin silver frame, with extendable bows (or ear pieces) able to be adjusted to the user's preferred length. These spectacles likely date to the early 19th century, possibly between 1810 - 1820, as the maker, P. Miller, was operating in Philadelphia at that time.
The pin-in-slot telescopic arms are possibly what tie them most to the culture of the period. The extendable ear pieces must be linked to the rise in availability of ready-made items. The ability to produce these "ready-mades" was linked to the rise in industrialization taking place at this time and explains why glasses like these can be found in other museum collections, such as the Old Sacramento Living History Program, The Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
The spectacles are stamped "P. Miller" at the hinge on one arm while the other has "L. or S. Gano" inscribed in cursive, suggesting that these were owned by a member of a Gano family. They are stored in a hard leather case.
The pin-in-slot telescopic arms are possibly what tie them most to the culture of the period. The extendable ear pieces must be linked to the rise in availability of ready-made items. The ability to produce these "ready-mades" was linked to the rise in industrialization taking place at this time and explains why glasses like these can be found in other museum collections, such as the Old Sacramento Living History Program, The Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
The spectacles are stamped "P. Miller" at the hinge on one arm while the other has "L. or S. Gano" inscribed in cursive, suggesting that these were owned by a member of a Gano family. They are stored in a hard leather case.
Source
Donor: Alice Howland
Identifier
URI 1957.16.29a, b
Contributor
Austin Rojas
Creator
P. Miller
Collection
Citation
P. Miller, “Spectacles and Case,” Historic Textile and Costume Collection, accessed May 2, 2024, https://uritextilecollection.omeka.net/items/show/290.