Figure 1: Nose spectacles inside a book
Intended to protect their contents and consequently taking the brunt of wear and damage, early spectacles cases are difficult to find in good condition. Initially, the use of sight correction was restricted to the wealthy literate section of society who were inclined to show off their wealth, resulting in spectacle cases often being magnificent works of art, which remain highly prized today.
Nose spectacles inserted into and protected by the cover of a book, speaks volumes about the value placed on the visual aid compared to the book itself. Made from a large variety of materials, early cases were often skilfully carved and can also be found embellished with the owner’s crest or coat of arms.
Figure 2: Baleen nose spectacles in cases of carved wood (above) and ivory (below)
Figure 3: 17th and 18th century cases, clockwise from top left: brass; gilt iron; turtleshell; silver and mother of pearl. The mother of pearl case is known as a banjo case due to its shape and is today very collectable
The invention of the printing press combined with increasing literacy meant the need for vision correction were no longer confined to the upper classes, although made with cheaper materials such a simple mid-1700s iron frames with very crude wooden dug-out case (see figure 4) probably made by the local country blacksmith. A ribbon around the back of the head tied to the large ring ends helped keep the spectacles in place.
Figure 4: A wooden dug-out case offered a more modest approach
Dates and inscriptions on cases can be a useful guide to age, although they can be misleading, sometimes having been added years later. A careful look at the handwritten legend on the inside of one case shows a later modification to his age (23 years) to make it read: “David Fergeson/A Scotchman/Aged 123 years” (figure 5).
Figure 5: Inscription inside a case
Use of turtleshell and shagreen during the 19th century by the gentry, along with wood cases covered in shagreen or leather was widespread. Being handmade separately by a casemaker, bespoke shapes were also not unusual.
Figure 6: Sterling silver X-bridge frame made in London by John Holmes c1810
Figure 7: Leather covered case for a sterling silver frame made by Dennis Charie, London c1836
The Victorian era being synonymous with elegance and fancy frocks required equally sophisticated cases when attending formal dinners and balls, when the beautiful but delicate mother of pearl and abalone decorated ‘evening dress’ cases would shimmer in the candlelight.
Figure 8: Left: the three flip-top cases, also known as ‘Coffin Cases’ due to their shape. Right: a single ‘Frogmouth Case’ 1820-1870
Reflecting practical situations, chatelaine cases commonly used by the Victorian governesses of the mid to late 1800s were suspended from a belt for convenience along with other daily items such as pencil, paper, keys and purse (see figure 9).
Figure 9: Chatelaine cases
The popularity of chinoiserie at the time of the Great Exhibition of 1851 and the emerging use of papier mâché lead to widespread demand for cheap cases that could either be hand painted or transfer printed. Cases inlaid with pewter and abalone were especially popular as mementos of an annual holiday and were so affordable that they were soon to be regarded as disposable items.
Figure 10: Fancier than a stick of rock – souvenir spectacle cases
Intended to be disposable, but now quite collectible, are the postal boxes with metal reinforced corners used from the early 1900s. They were supplied to the patient for use when returning spectacles for repair, often with the instructions printed inside the box to never entrust them to any other optician or to jewellers as the lenses were frequently misplaced.
- John Dixon Salt is current chairman of the Ophthalmic Antiques International Collectors’ Club (OAICC)
- All images from the Madame Alfred Heymann Collection, copyright Ophthalmic Antiques International Collectors’ Club.