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Buy this image as a print
BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
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LicenseTurn pin spectacles, tortoiseshell frames, silver arms
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Turn pin spectacles, tortoiseshell frames, silver arms
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
carved wooden case, snap lid, decorated
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Turn pin spectacles, tortoiseshell frames, silver arms, hallmarked Paris, 1819-1838, in carved wooden case, snap lid, decorated, French, 1819-1838
These are known as turn pin spectacles. They have side arms which are hinged around the temple area of the head. The hinged sides rotate 360 degrees. The case is engraved wood with a fish design and decorated with a mother of pearl disc. The frames are of tortoiseshell. This was a luxury material only affordable by wealthy people. The material comes from the shell of a hawk bill turtle rather than the shell of a tortoise.
Details
- Category:
- Ophthalmology
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A159471
- Materials:
- spectacles, tortoiseshell, spectacles, silver, arms, case, wood, case, mother-of-pearl, disc and case, brass, hinges
- type:
- spectacles
- credit:
- Glendining
