An enchanting antique 14ct gold filled enamel lorgnette that folds to wear and use as a magnifier/quizzing glass pendant. Super quality and beautifully crafted with the rich gold decorated in sky blue and silver enamelling with a tiny paste ruby. Beautiful and feminine it still resides in the original dark blue leather covered fitted hard case. Perfectly engineered the adorable round magnifying lenses are spring loaded, they pop open when the little button is pushed downwards and they fold back together locking with a secure click.
When closed the lorgnette measures 5-1/2"/13.5cm in length and the lenses are 1-3/4"/4cm in diameter. Stamped with a hallmark under the nose bridge "14ct Filled 1/20" along with the makers trademark 'AR' along with a circle and cross symbol. In very, very good age appropriate condition with minor wear and the lenses scratch free, they weigh 27.7 grams (without the case).
Fully functional this beautiful antique lorgnette is quite the antique statement piece, pair her with a gold guard or necklace chain to match her character or simply wear her as she is on her vintage sky blue ribbon! The term "lorgnette" originates from the French word "lorgner," meaning "to take a sidelong look at". They were madly fashionable accessories during the 18th & 19th centuries with the latest fashion plates showing ladies with lorgnettes and quizzing glasses hanging from chains or ribbons around their necks.
In case you were wondering gold filled/rolled gold jewellery is made by mechanically bonding a layer of solid gold over a base metal. The gold layer must be at least 1/20th of the overall metal content by weight. Significantly thicker than ordinary gold plating it is high quality finish saturated in colour that will retain its golden lustre