Vintage 1920s Sterling Silver Lorgnette or Articulated Reading Glasses

Articulated reading glasses or lorgnette with Downton Abbey Style! 

Diminutive, but hard-working, these reading glasses are perhaps one of the most useful vintage 1920s fashion accessories.

Nearly a century old and made entirely from sterling silver, the eyeglasses unfold with quick, strong spring action. Simply push down on the little nob adornment and the little magnifying glass pops open to reveal the spectacles. It's a cinch to fold them back into place! 

In a sleek, classic style suited for either men or women, the eyeglasses are also designed for use with either the right or left hand. 

The magnification is most comfortable for anyone who is at that certain age where readers are needed…a rough guess is that they are somewhere between a 1.5 or 2 magnification with high quality glass that one rarely finds today. 

This delightful lorgnette is stamped “Sterling” under the nose bridge piece. There is no maker’s mark. 

The loop at the end of the handle may be used to slip over a chain and worn as a pendant for women…or could be creatively attached to a gentleman’s fob. Most certainly, this lovely lorgnette may be slipped into either a breast pocket, wallet or even the smallest evening purse. 

While closed into a magnifier, it measures approximately 3.5 inches or 9 cm in length. The magnifying glass is approximately 1.5 inches or 4 cm across. While open, the spectacles measure 4.25 inches or 11 cm across. 

This lorgnette is certainly a very wonderful example of 1920s glamour that will be appreciated by any Downton Abbey or Roaring Twenties aficionado.