Spectacles/Glasses

circa 1880 – circa 1905

20th Century

Victorian

Likely United States or Europe • Oval lenses → dominant before 1900 • Cable temples (curved wire that wraps behind the ear) → common 1870s–1900 • No nose pads (just a shaped bridge) → earlier production • Very thin wire construction → pre-mass-production eyewear

Metal

Glass

Paper

Thin metal wire frames (likely steel or low-grade nickel alloy) Oval glass lenses Cable (wrap-around) temples Type: Spectacles slip case Era: Late 19th century, c. 1870–1900 Origin: Likely United States or Europe Materials: Leather exterior (vegetable-tanned) – Feels like paper? Felt or wool-lined interior (dark purple/black) Hand-shaped, not molded

Fair

Jan 23, 2026

Description

Wire-rim spectacles with cable temples. Paper/Cardboard case.