Circa 1880, an adorable Victorian Stanhope charm in the form of a carved bone pair of miniature binoculars. The Stanhope is a souvenir from Jersey, an island located in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy, France.
The binoculars are made from carved bone and have "Souvenir de Jersey" in black hand painted script on the arms. Each ocular side holds 6 black & white scenic microphotographs of tourist attractions around the archipelago.
This Stanhope is in good condition with signs of age and use as you would expect in an antique piece. The photos are present inside and viewable, one of the eyepiece lenses sticks out further on one side but it stable in the housing and is not going anywhere. The binocular arms are held together within a brass frame that is still complete and the black enamel script is still intact, please refer to photos.
Microphotographs were invented in 1851, measuring about 3mm square, a microscope was needed to view them which was an expensive luxury at the time! In 1857, René Dagron invented the Stanhope, an optical lens that did away with the need for a microscope and consequently the Stanhope became an instant success with the Victorians who loved a novelty above all things! The Stanhope was soon incorporated into such artifacts as rings, fobs, bone miniatures and wooden toys.
An unusual and rare collectible, great for wear as a unique pendant on a fine chain and a fabulous fashion accessory for an antique French doll or dollhouse!
DIMENSIONS: approx. 1" (25mm) long and 5/8" (22mm) wide. Weighs 2.6 grams.
The binoculars are made from carved bone and have "Souvenir de Jersey" in black hand painted script on the arms. Each ocular side holds 6 black & white scenic microphotographs of tourist attractions around the archipelago.
This Stanhope is in good condition with signs of age and use as you would expect in an antique piece. The photos are present inside and viewable, one of the eyepiece lenses sticks out further on one side but it stable in the housing and is not going anywhere. The binocular arms are held together within a brass frame that is still complete and the black enamel script is still intact, please refer to photos.
Microphotographs were invented in 1851, measuring about 3mm square, a microscope was needed to view them which was an expensive luxury at the time! In 1857, René Dagron invented the Stanhope, an optical lens that did away with the need for a microscope and consequently the Stanhope became an instant success with the Victorians who loved a novelty above all things! The Stanhope was soon incorporated into such artifacts as rings, fobs, bone miniatures and wooden toys.
An unusual and rare collectible, great for wear as a unique pendant on a fine chain and a fabulous fashion accessory for an antique French doll or dollhouse!
DIMENSIONS: approx. 1" (25mm) long and 5/8" (22mm) wide. Weighs 2.6 grams.