Description
EXCEPTIONAL OVAL MAGNIFIER SET IN SILVER AND MOTHER-OF-PEARL, probably English, 18th century, measuring 3″ x 2″ x 1/2″ (7.6 x 5 x 1.3 cm) overall (closed). The fine oval magnifying lens is made of grayish glass, mounted in a ringed silver band which swivels out from the exquisite case of nacre (the beautiful iridescent inner lining of some mollusc shells — and the outer coating of pearls!) framed in lovely chased silver mounts. Condition is fine; this is not only a practical simple magnifier, but a thing of true beauty.
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Dealer information
TESSERACT
David and Yola Coffeen both have enjoyed academic careers, as planetary astronomer and as linguist/educator. But since 1982 (yes, 1982!) they have been full-time dealers in early scientific and medical instruments, under the name Tesseract. Selling primarily by catalogue (over 100 issued so far) they also have a web presence at www.etesseract.com, and can be contacted at [email protected].