Lorgnettes are a type of eyeglasses that were popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. They consist of a pair of small lenses attached to a handle that can be held up to the eyes for reading or other close work.

The first lorgnettes were developed in the early 1700s in France, where they were known as "lorgnettes de toilette." They were primarily used by women as a fashion accessory, as well as for reading and observing people and events from a discreet distance.

As lorgnettes became more popular, they were produced in a variety of styles and materials, including gold, silver, and tortoiseshell. They were also decorated with gemstones and other embellishments to reflect the wearer's social status and personal taste.

In the 19th century, lorgnettes were widely used by both men and women, and were often seen at social gatherings and events such as the opera or more...

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Antique French 18ct gold lorgnette, 19th century, stamped '18',…

French 18ct Gold Lorgnette, 19th Century, Stamped '18', Antique

Antique French 18ct gold lorgnette, 19th century, stamped '18', 9 cm long when closed, 24 grams total weight including glass

A pair of gold plated and tortoiseshell lorgnettes, glass…

Gold Plated Tortoiseshell Lorgnettes with Chipped Glass Lenses

A pair of gold plated and tortoiseshell lorgnettes, glass chipped at base of lenses. Length 11.5 cm.

A pair of Georgian gold cased lorgnette, fold away design with…

Georgian Gold Cased Fold-Away Lorgnette with Floral Carving

A pair of Georgian gold cased lorgnette, fold away design with floral and scroll carving, length 9 cm.

Pair of horn & gilt metal lorgnettes

Horn and gilt metal lorgnettes: a stylish accessory pair

Pair of horn & gilt metal lorgnettes

Pair of silver lorgnettes with rococo style handle.

Rococo Silver Lorgnettes: Elegant Eyewear with Ornate Handle

Pair of silver lorgnettes with rococo style handle.

Gilt lorgnette, with engraved pattern to handle, length 115 mm.

Engraved Gilt Lorgnette with Handle Pattern, 115mm Length

Gilt lorgnette, with engraved pattern to handle, length 115 mm.

9ct gold lorgnette and chain, the foldable lorgnette with…

Vintage 9ct Gold Lorgnette with Engraved Chain Necklace

9ct gold lorgnette and chain, the foldable lorgnette with engraved decoration to handle, suspended from an oval belcher link chain completed by a bolt ring clasp, lorgnette length 85 mm, chain length 660 mm, gross weight approximately 19.2 grams.

Two antique French rolled gold lorgnettes, 19th century, the…

Antique French Rolled Gold Lorgnettes, 19th Century, 12cm Long

Two antique French rolled gold lorgnettes, 19th century, the larger 12 cm long

Pair Victorian gold inlaid tortoise shell lorgnettes, gold…

Victorian Gold Inlaid Tortoise Shell Lorgnettes with Glass Frames

Pair Victorian gold inlaid tortoise shell lorgnettes, gold plated glass frames 76 mm length

An Art Deco silver lorgnette, closed size 43.6 x 100 mm,…

Art Deco Silver Lorgnette: Compact Elegance in Fine Silver

An Art Deco silver lorgnette, closed size 43.6 x 100 mm, extended length 10.5 cm, width 4.5 mm, wt. 19.2g.

Late 19th century gilt and turquoise lorgnette, spring loaded,…

Gilt & Turquoise Lorgnette: 19th Century Spring-Loaded Spectacles

Late 19th century gilt and turquoise lorgnette, spring loaded, length 8.5 cm (when closed)

Victorian pair of lorgnette, 9ct yellow gold plated

Victorian Gold Plated Lorgnette: Elegant Vintage Eyewear Accessory

Victorian pair of lorgnette, 9ct yellow gold plated

Silver, onyx and marcasite lorgnette probably French, feint…

French Silver Lorgnette with Onyx and Marcasite Accents

Silver, onyx and marcasite lorgnette probably French, feint hallmarks to bridge. One lens missing, signs of wear to onyx.

Dainty filigree silver pendant lorgnette on black cord, case 4.…

Filigree Silver Lorgnette Pendant on Black Cord

Dainty filigree silver pendant lorgnette on black cord, case 4.5 cm x 2 cm, frame 7.5 cm. Stamped Sterl. K

Ornate pendant type German silver lorgnette on a silver chain.…

German Silver Lorgnette Pendant on Silver Chain

Ornate pendant type German silver lorgnette on a silver chain. Stamped made in Western Germany, 835.

Horn folding lorgnette or nose glasses

Horn Lorgnette: Foldable Nose Glasses

Horn folding lorgnette or nose glasses

Faux tortoiseshell long handled lorgnette

Long Lorgnette with Faux Tortoiseshell Handle

Faux tortoiseshell long handled lorgnette

Antique lorgnette on chain, 19th century, the chain 60 cm long

19th Century Lorgnette on Chain

Antique lorgnette on chain, 19th century, the chain 60 cm long

Victorian gold plated folding lorgnettes with original pouch…

Victorian Gold Lorgnettes w/ Pouch by JG West & Co

Victorian gold plated folding lorgnettes with original pouch for J G West & Co. Fleet St., London

Art Deco silver plate lorgnettes unmarked. Approx length…

Art Deco Silver Lorgnettes, Working Mechanism, 13cm Extended

Art Deco silver plate lorgnettes unmarked. Approx length extended 13 cm, mechanism working when tested

Pair gilt lorgnettes,

Gilded Lorgnette Pair

Pair gilt lorgnettes,

Victorian Tortoiseshell and silver lorgnettes 7.5 cm in length

Victorian Lorgnettes: Tortoiseshell and Silver

Victorian Tortoiseshell and silver lorgnettes 7.5 cm in length

A pair of antique 9ct gold lorgnette, with reeded handle with…

Antique 9ct Gold Lorgnette with London Hallmarks (1959)

A pair of antique 9ct gold lorgnette, with reeded handle with London import hallmarks for 1959, lens diam. 36 mm, length 125 mm, wt. 26.06g.

An antique gold mounted hair pin, a lorgnette, two small…

Assorted Antique Accessories with Gold and Magnifying Glasses

An antique gold mounted hair pin, a lorgnette, two small magnifying glasses and a gold cased pencil, length 10 cm, and smaller

An antique gilt metal lorgnette, early 20th century, apparently…

Early 20th Century Gilt Metal Lorgnette

An antique gilt metal lorgnette, early 20th century, apparently unmarked, length 9.5 cm

Antique tortoiseshell lorgnette with original black silk…

19th Century Tortoiseshell Lorgnette with Silk Lanyard

Antique tortoiseshell lorgnette with original black silk lanyard, late 19th century, the handle 23 cm long

Antique pocket lorgnette, late 19th century

Late 19th Century Pocket Lorgnette

Antique pocket lorgnette, late 19th century

9ct gold lorgnette, measuring 80 mm x 34 mm, 20.7 grams

9ct Gold Lorgnette: Elegant and Practical Accessory

9ct gold lorgnette, measuring 80 mm x 34 mm, 20.7 grams

Antique gilt metal lorgnettes

Antique Gilt Lorgnettes

Antique gilt metal lorgnettes

A gold lorgnette, featuring machine-turned detail; 15ct gold.…

Machine-Turned 15ct Gold Lorgnette

A gold lorgnette, featuring machine-turned detail; 15ct gold. Weight 25.8g.

Antique gilt lorgnette approx length 11 cm

Antique Gilt Lorgnette - 11cm Length

Antique gilt lorgnette approx length 11 cm

Victorian lorgnette, brass and enamelled folding

Enamelled Brass Victorian Lorgnette

Victorian lorgnette, brass and enamelled folding

An antique lorgnette, the folding glasses in finely engraved…

Engraved 15ct Gold Lorgnette, Chester 1893

An antique lorgnette, the folding glasses in finely engraved 15ct gold, Chester hallmarks, circa 1893.

Pair of antique Tortoiseshell lorgnettes

Antique Tortoiseshell Lorgnettes Pair

Pair of antique Tortoiseshell lorgnettes

French Art Nouveau gold lorgnette, c. 1930, 18ct yellow gold,…

French Art Nouveau Gold Lorgnette with Floral Design

French Art Nouveau gold lorgnette, c. 1930, 18ct yellow gold, reticulated floral design, with spring mechanism, French gold control marks, 41.70 grams length 11.5 cm. Provenance: The Estate of Judith Hoyle, Newcastle, NSW

Victorian 10carat yellow gold pair lorgnettes folding form,…

Victorian 10ct Yellow Gold Folding Lorgnettes Pair

Victorian 10carat yellow gold pair lorgnettes folding form, unmarked, but tested for 10carat.

Pair of 9ct gold lorgnettes, engraved tapering handle with…

Engraved 9ct Gold Lorgnettes with Tapering Handle

Pair of 9ct gold lorgnettes, engraved tapering handle with fixed ring

Vintage pair tortoiseshell lorgnettes rolled gold frames and…

Tortoiseshell Lorgnettes with Rolled Gold Frames and Handle

Vintage pair tortoiseshell lorgnettes rolled gold frames and tortoiseshell handle.

Vintage silver lorgnette and cigar holder, lorgnette with…

Antique Lorgnette and Cigar Holder Set

Vintage silver lorgnette and cigar holder, lorgnette with trigger release handle inlaid with black and white enamel, some losses and a vulcanite cigar holder with silver fittings hallmarked Birmingham 1912, in fitted case.

Vintage pair gilt rimmed lorgnettes, with gilt handle, height…

Gilt rimmed lorgnettes with handle

Vintage pair gilt rimmed lorgnettes, with gilt handle, height 14 cm

Lorgnette. Gilt finish.

Gilded Lorgnette

Lorgnette. Gilt finish.

A 19th century 15ct. yellow gold folding lorgnette, captured…

Antique 15ct. Gold Folding Lorgnette with Engraved Highlights

A 19th century 15ct. yellow gold folding lorgnette, captured spring release, large suspension loop, decorative engraved highlights. 17.8gms.

A carved horn walking stick handle, two cigarette holders and…

Horn Handle and Smoking Accessories with Lorgnettes

A carved horn walking stick handle, two cigarette holders and one cigar holder with three lorgnettes

Two early rolled gold Quizzing glasses & rolled gold lorgnette

Rolled Gold Quizzing Glasses and Lorgnette Set

Two early rolled gold Quizzing glasses & rolled gold lorgnette

A lovely antique pair of lorgnettes on muff chain, rolled…

Antique Lorgnettes on Gold Muff Chain with Tortoiseshell Case

A lovely antique pair of lorgnettes on muff chain, rolled yellow gold, the lorgnettes presented as a lovely pair of tortoiseshell cased glasses with gold panel to one side, fitted with bail and suspended from a 9ct yellow gold oval belcher link muff chain…

Vintage pair plated lorgnettes, nose piece with origin mark,…

Plated Lorgnettes with Faux Tortoiseshell Handle & Case

Vintage pair plated lorgnettes, nose piece with origin mark, (illegible), faux tortoiseshell handle, in fitted case.

Victorian gilt metal folding lorgnettes with faceted rims

Faceted Victorian folding lorgnettes with gilt metal

Victorian gilt metal folding lorgnettes with faceted rims

An 18ct gold lorgnette, fluted handle with spring release,…

18ct Gold Lorgnette with Fluted Handle and Leather Pouch

An 18ct gold lorgnette, fluted handle with spring release, length 105 mm, with leather pouch with retailers name Hugo wolf, Wien, wt. 26g.

Pair of marquesite lorgnettes

Marquesite Lorgnettes Pair

Pair of marquesite lorgnettes

Pair Vintage marquesite lorgnettes on chain

Vintage Marquesite Lorgnettes on Chain

Pair Vintage marquesite lorgnettes on chain

A collection of three Victorian lorgnettes, including rolled…

Victorian Lorgnette Trio: Rolled Gold and Gilded

A collection of three Victorian lorgnettes, including rolled gold and gilded.

A lovely pair of ladies gold lorgnettes, 14ct rose gold, early…

Rose Gold Lorgnettes with Ruby Accents

A lovely pair of ladies gold lorgnettes, 14ct rose gold, early 20th century, made as a classic pair of sprung and hinged lorgnettes, finely scrolled and pierced to handle set with cabochon, round rubies of pink red colour, fitted with bail. Length 12 cm

A pair of Victorian gold mounted lorgnettes

Victorian Gold Lorgnettes

A pair of Victorian gold mounted lorgnettes

Two pairs of vintage tortoiseshell lorgnettes

Vintage Tortoiseshell Lorgnettes - Two Pairs

Two pairs of vintage tortoiseshell lorgnettes

Victorian gold plated lorgnettes with fixed rim handle.

Gold Plated Victorian Lorgnettes with Fixed Rim Handle

Victorian gold plated lorgnettes with fixed rim handle.

Pair Edwardian 9ct gold lorgnettes

Edwardian 9ct Gold Lorgnettes Pair

Pair Edwardian 9ct gold lorgnettes

A pair of French lorgnettes

French Lorgnettes: A Classy Eyewear Accessory

A pair of French lorgnettes

A pair of antique lorgnettes, tortoise shell and gilt

Antique Tortoise Shell Lorgnettes with Gilt Accents

A pair of antique lorgnettes, tortoise shell and gilt

A pair of antique lorgnette, 14ct yellow gold, light guilloche…

Antique 14ct Gold Lorgnette with Guilloche Design

A pair of antique lorgnette, 14ct yellow gold, light guilloche design

Lorgnette glasses suspended from a silver neckchain 60 cm, 33.1…

Silver Lorgnette Glasses with 60cm Chain - 33.1g

Lorgnette glasses suspended from a silver neckchain 60 cm, 33.1 grams

Pair Victorian sterling silver lorgnettes, London hallmark (no…

Victorian Sterling Silver Lorgnettes, London Hallmark

Pair Victorian sterling silver lorgnettes, London hallmark (no date mark evident), weight 26grams

A Lorgnette with a sterling silver handle, Assayed A. Abraham…

Sterling Lorgnette by A. Abraham Liverpool

A Lorgnette with a sterling silver handle, Assayed A. Abraham Liverpool

Victorian tortoiseshell Lorgnette having a push button…

Monogrammed Victorian Lorgnette with Push Button Mechanism

Victorian tortoiseshell Lorgnette having a push button mechanism, with a monogrammed lozenge. Length 18.4 cm

A sterling silver Lorgnette, stamped 925. Handle length 4.5 cm

925 Sterling Silver Lorgnette with 4.5cm Handle

A sterling silver Lorgnette, stamped 925. Handle length 4.5 cm

Antique French silver gilt ladies Lorgnette, Finely worked late…

French Victorian Silver Lorgnette with Engraved Frame

Antique French silver gilt ladies Lorgnette, Finely worked late Victorian lorgnette with open worked handle and engraved frame

Antique yellow gold Lorgnette opera glasses, on a 18ct gold…

Antique Lorgnette Opera Glasses with Gold Chain & Case

Antique yellow gold Lorgnette opera glasses, on a 18ct gold chain with original leather case (W. Gardner Optician 15 Royal Bank Place Glasgow marked to Lorgnette G, 15 to chain approx, 30g/ 144 cm long chain weight/ length

A pair of Continental European lorgnettes, set with white…

European Lorgnettes with White Stones on Cord

A pair of Continental European lorgnettes, set with white stones on a cord.

Pair of antique gold plated lorgnettes, in original case

Antique Gold Lorgnettes in Original Case

Pair of antique gold plated lorgnettes, in original case

An Edwardian mother-of-pearl Lorgnette, early 20th century, the…

Edwardian Mother-of-Pearl Lorgnette with Shaped Case

An Edwardian mother-of-pearl Lorgnette, early 20th century, the retractable spring loaded lorgnette with a shaped case and folding oval glasses. Length 7.5 cm

Vintage pair metal lorgnettes

Metal Lorgnettes - Vintage Pair

Vintage pair metal lorgnettes

Antique mother of pearl lorgnettes

Vintage mother of pearl lorgnettes

Antique mother of pearl lorgnettes

A pair of enamelled handled lorgnette in a Coles & Garrard case

Enamelled Lorgnette in Coles & Garrard Case

A pair of enamelled handled lorgnette in a Coles & Garrard case

Two pairs of rolled gold lorgnettes

Rolled Gold Lorgnette Pair Set

Two pairs of rolled gold lorgnettes

A gilt-metal Lorgnette with three-colour engine-turned stem.

Tri-Coloured Engine-Turned Lorgnette in Gilt Metal

A gilt-metal Lorgnette with three-colour engine-turned stem.

Pair of Antique gold plated lorgnette glasses

Antique Gold Plated Lorgnette Glasses Pair

Pair of Antique gold plated lorgnette glasses

Pair antique sterling silver lorgnettes

Antique Sterling Silver Lorgnettes Pair

Pair antique sterling silver lorgnettes

Antique lorgnettes with scroll decorated handle

Scroll Handle Lorgnettes: Antique Elegance

Antique lorgnettes with scroll decorated handle

Antique French silver gilt ladies lorgnette, late Victorian…

Victorian French Silver Lorgnette with Openwork Handle

Antique French silver gilt ladies lorgnette, late Victorian with open worked handle and engraved frame

Pair antique 9ct gold and tortoiseshell lorgnettes hallmarks to…

Antique 9ct Gold and Tortoiseshell Lorgnettes with Hallmarks

Pair antique 9ct gold and tortoiseshell lorgnettes hallmarks to rim

A fourteen carat gold antique folding Lorgnette, 19th century,…

Antique French Gold Lorgnette, 19th Century

A fourteen carat gold antique folding Lorgnette, 19th century, French, hallmarked, having a strong frame and spring mechanism in working order, with a bright cut square form tapering handle to a circular terminal; signed So to the nosepiece with hallmarks…

A pair of European lorgnettes. Gold plated

European Gold Plated Lorgnettes

A pair of European lorgnettes. Gold plated

Pair of antique lorgnettes

Antique Lorgnettes Pair

Pair of antique lorgnettes

A Lorgnette with foliate case

Foliate Lorgnette Case

A Lorgnette with foliate case

Antique yellow gold & enamel Lorgnette

Enamel Lorgnette in Antique Yellow Gold

Antique yellow gold & enamel Lorgnette

A Continental silver lorgnette

Continental Silver Lorgnette

A Continental silver lorgnette

An Edwardian Lorgnette, with fancy link chain

Fancy Lorgnette with Link Chain

An Edwardian Lorgnette, with fancy link chain

An antique Lorgnette; featuring a tortoiseshell handle inlaid…

Tortoiseshell and Silver Lorgnette

An antique Lorgnette; featuring a tortoiseshell handle inlaid with silver. Length 63 mm.

three vintage lorgnettes, two rolled gold one with a guiloche…

Vintage Lorgnettes: Gold, Silver, and Enamel Handles

three vintage lorgnettes, two rolled gold one with a guiloche enamel handle, other in silver.

A 14ct gold Lorgnette; featuring finely engraved fittings,…

Engraved 14ct Gold Lorgnette with 18ct Stamped Fittings

A 14ct gold Lorgnette; featuring finely engraved fittings, (stamped 18ct). Length 90 mm. Wt. 23.1g.

A platinum & diamond Lorgnette; finely engraved frame and…

Platinum & Diamond Lorgnette with Engraved Frame & Handle

A platinum & diamond Lorgnette; finely engraved frame and handle set with six graduated round brilliant cut and ten graduated single cut diamonds, (metal chain). Length 80 mm. Wt. 27g.

An antique enamel, diamond and blister pearl lorgnette, circa…

Enamel and Diamond Lorgnette with Blister Pearl

An antique enamel, diamond and blister pearl lorgnette, circa 1890, of waisted silver gilt design, one side decorated with polychrome enamelled initials 'PAH', within a garland border, to the surrounding trellis accented by old brilliant-cut diamond…

An Art Nouveau lorgnette, the 14ct gold frame with guilloche…

Art Nouveau Enamel Lorgnette in 14ct Gold Frame

An Art Nouveau lorgnette, the 14ct gold frame with guilloche enamel handle

Tortoise shell lorgnette with gold inlays, no lenses

Gold Inlaid Tortoise Lorgnette

Tortoise shell lorgnette with gold inlays, no lenses

Two pairs of French 19th century lorgnettes, 7.5 and 10 cm long

French 19th Century Lorgnettes: Two Pairs

Two pairs of French 19th century lorgnettes, 7.5 and 10 cm long