A lorgnette, in essence, consists of a handle-mounted pair of spectacles. Lorgnettes, which preceded modern opera binoculars, were frequently seen at both theaters and operas during the 19th century. The term "lorgnette" is derived from the French word "lorgner," which means to discreetly observe or gaze. Prior to the 17th century, optical devices were mainly associated with men, however the creation of the lorgnette marked a significant shift as women started to play a more prominent role in the realm of eyewear. The lorgnette piqued women's curiosity and led to the development of various new designs, such as the "jealousy lorgnette." Furthermore, the lorgnette evolved beyond its initial function as a theater or opera accessory and transformed into a practical daily accessory. Initial versions of the lorgnette featured a handle without any joints. Subsequent iterations introduced a hinged handle, and by the 19th century, a spring mechanism was incorporated which enabled the lenses to fold neatly inside the handle, which also doubled as a protective case.The Burke Museum's collection of historical artifacts illuminates Beechworth's past by showcasing the town's social, cultural, and economic dimensions, contributing to a richer understanding of its social history.A pair of spectacles with a decorative handle attached.burke museum, social history, glasses, opera

Women wore frames characterized by an upsweep on the top rim, a style that was very popular until the end of the 1950s, while men tended to sport gold wire frames. These glasses are probably men's glasses. By the latter half of the 20th century, spectacles were considered part of a person's wardrobe. Similar to clothes, eyeglasses needed to be continually updated or a person could be perceived as old-fashioned. More and more celebrities were influencing spectacle fashion.These items reflect how glasses styles have changed over time and are becoming a fashion accessory as well as a prosthesis and support for lenses, Six pairs of assorted glasses and 4 cases. spectacles

Spectacles with metal frame, circular lenses & pink-coloured nose rests.nilreadingglasses, reading, spectacles

A pressed metal spectacle case with brass hinges and clasp and lined with blue moire taffeta. The lid is decorated with an inlaid floral motif and inside each section is a 1/2 pocket . Both top and bottom expand by 1cm with concertina folded materialfloral design inlaid on lidspectacles, optomotrists, moorabbin, cheltenham, bentleigh, early settlers

Pince-nez spectacles are in a style popular in the 19th century, which are supported without earpieces, by pinching the bridge of the nose.A pair of Pince-nez eye glasses in a leather case, with a soft cleaning cloth.cleaning cloth - 'With Compliments / John Browning Pty. Ltd. / 113 Collins Street / MELBOURNE / PHONE MF 3221/ MF 3222optometrists, spectacles. eyeglasses, moorabbin, brighton, early settlers, pioneers, cheltenham

Pince-nez spectacles are in a style popular in the 19th century, which are supported, without earpieces, by pinching the bridge of the nose.A pair of Pince-nez eye glasses in a hinged silver case. optometrists, spectacles. eyeglasses, moorabbin, brighton, early settlers, pioneers, cheltenham

Pair of Pince Nez with gold bridge in a hard black case which also contains a cleaning cloth and paper instructions. Cloth printed with advertisement for Toric lenses and Victor.H.Wastell.Opthalmic Optician Victor H Wastell F.V.D.A Ballarat A Pat Feb809personal effects, seeing aids, spectacles

2 pair glasses from 1960's era, all broken, in black,cream vinyl cases. 1 pair in burgundy coloured hard case with label reading Delia Mac Mellewe Hall.OPSM M.Hogan Coles & Garrard Bendigo Gellong Melbournepersonal effects, seeing aids

Glasses used by Mrs Lillian Bassett of Box HillMetal bevelled frames and arms curved.Glass is affixed onto frames with metal screws through glass. Round frame on top. Bottom is just angled glass. Case is maroon colourCase: Coles and Garrard, Melbourne & Geelongpersonal effects, seeing aids

Possibly belonged to Louis SchwerkoltSmall dark brown leather glasses case With maroon velvet inside. Frameless 'Pince- nez glasses With a gold nose clip attached to glass also with small gold chain for ear attachment. One spare glass lens as wellmedicine, optometry, personal effects, seeing aids

Black leather look covered spectacle case. There is a metal hinged section at the top on the front that opens out to gain access to the case. The case is lined with blue and black felt fabric.spectacles, spectacles case

Black leather look covered spectacle case. There is a flip lid section at the top that opens to gain access to the case. The lid is fastened with a press stud. The case is lined with velvet.spectacles, spectacles case

Frederick Napoli Prescott was a prominent Bendigo Optician and Jeweller. He was born and educated in Hobart before joining his father's jewellery and optical business. After studying in Europe to gain further qualifications he returned to Australia and opened a business at the corner of Mitchell and Hargreaves Street Bendigo. He was later in partnership with Mr C.M. Dawe trading as Prescott & Dawe. Burgundy leather look spectacle case. The case has a flip lid section at the top that opens to gain access to the case. The lid is held in place under a leather loop. In gold lettering on the front of the case "F Napoli Prescott Bendigo".spectacles, spectacles case, f napoli prescott

Frederick Napoli Prescott was a prominent Bendigo Optician and Jeweller. He was born and educated in Hobart before joining his father's jewellery and optical business. After studying in Europe to gain further qualifications he returned to Australia and opened a business at the corner of Mitchell and Hargreaves Street Bendigo. He was later in partnership with Mr C.M. Dawe trading as Prescott & Dawe. Brown leather look spectacle case. The case has a flip lid section at the top that opens to gain access to the case. The lid is held in place under a leather loop. In gold lettering on the front of the case "F Napoli Prescott Bendigo".spectacles, spectacles case, f napoli prescott

Was the stand for a Chance Brothers air & oil containers fitted with pump handle & pressure gauges.This type of installation was once common and relied on the lightkeeper having to pressurise the cylinders manually at regular intervals throughout the hours of darkness. The oil was fed under pressure to the burner mantle. It is all that remains of an air and kerosene oil tank installation, with each rounded side formerly supporting a heavy iron tank. The containers would have been fitted with a pump handle and pressure gauges. An intact assemblage is displayed in the AMSA offices, Canberra with a text that explains ‘This type of installation was once common and relied on the lightkeeper having to pressurise the cylinders manually at regular intervals throughout the hours of darkness’.The system involved vaporising kerosene under pressure and mixing it with air and then burning the vapour to heat an incandescent mantle. The use of kerosene as a fuel to light the lantern became the most common system of illumination from the 1860s after the oil industry in the United States began to develop. The kerosene vapour burner was created in 1901 by British inventor Arthur Kitson (1859-1937) and perfected by Chance Bros for burning a more intense light in their renowned lenses. The lamp had to be watched throughout the night in case a mantle broke, and the tanks needed to be maintained by hand-pumping each hour or so. The Point Hicks lantern was initially lit by a six-wick Trinity house kerosene burner. This was replaced by the more efficient and brighter 55mm vaporised kerosene mantle burner in 1905, and the tank stand is probably original to this apparatus. Electricity eventually replaced kerosene at Point Hicks in 1964 making the tank installation obsolete, and the last kerosene system in an Australian lighthouse was replaced in 1985. Gabo Island Lightstation has a pair of tanks that are not attached to the optical system and are no longer in the lighthouse. They are also missing the pressure gauges that were formerly attached to the top of each cylinder. An intact tank assemblage is displayed at the Cape Schanck Lighthouse Museum it is detached and not original to the lighthouse. Although corroded, the remnant Point Hicks tank stand has first level contributory importance to the lightstation. It is significant for its provenance and historical value as part of the Chance Bros vaporised kerosene burner introduced in 1905 to intensify the light and improve the efficiency of the system. The rusted iron stand rests on four short legs and is shaped like a pair of spectacles.

Two pairs of spectacles. 1 - Tinted lens with gold rims and wings. 2 - Clear lens,with gold rims.spectacles, spectacle cases