Spectacle and spectacle case, transverse folding, steel spectacles in hinged cap shagreen case, Chinese, 1850-1930
Spectacles may have been used in China as early as the 1100s. The arms of these Chinese steel spectacles are double folding. This means they can circle much of the head. The case is made from a material called shagreen. This is either the rough skin of certain sharks or rays, or rough leather made from certain animal hides. Shagreen is naturally grey. However, it is often coloured red or, in this case, green.
Details
- Category:
- Ophthalmology
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A682431
- Materials:
- spectacles, steel, case, wood, case, shagreen, covered and case, metal, hinge
- Measurements:
-
overall: 12 mm x 140 mm x 60 mm, .06kg
spectacles (unfolded): 20 mm x 125 mm x 45 mm, .03kg
- type:
- spectacles