Spectacles and case

1800-1850

Measurements

1/2 in x 5 in x 2 in (case); 1-1/4 in x 4-7/8 in x 5-1/4 in (spectacles)

Materials

Steel, brass, glass

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, gift of H. Rodney Sharp

Accession Number

1959.3569

Inscription

“F. Riessner” in raised script within a recessed rectangle is stamped into the arm, called a temple, on the user’s left side

Condition Notes

The hinge of the case lid is broken.

Provenance

Ex coll. H. Rodney Sharp

Comments

The eye glasses have a brass frame that hold oval colorless glass lenses.  Green-colored oval lenses are hinged on the inside corners to allow them to fold next to the colorless lenses.  The arms, called temples, may be adjusted by sliding an extension outward.  The eye glasses are accompanied by a plain steel case with a hinged end cap.

Relatively little research has been conducted on eye glasses like these.  The name “F. Riessner” does not provide any guidance.  Portraits showing men wearing similar eye glasses date between 1800 and about 1850.  A similar steel case at Colonial Williamsburg (acc. no. 1982-154) bears the date 1772.  Some guidance comes from the style of the “F. Riessner” touchmark, which suggests a time in the first half of the 19th century.