Bow spectacles made of leather and steel, lenses missing, in wooden bow case, maker unknown, England, 1601-1700.

These spectacles are typical of those common in the seventeenth century. They do not have arms (these were added to spectacles in around 1730) and would have been balanced on the nose for use. Spectacles were the most common product made by the emerging optical instrument makers of the period. Many of these makers were members of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers, a guild founded in 1629.