A pair of vintage mother-of-pearl opera glasses, late 19th to…
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A pair of vintage Mother-of-pearl opera glasses, late 19th to early 20th century, the traditionally styled binoculars in brass with mother-of-pearl casing. Length 10 cm

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  • Mother-Of-Pearl - Mother-of-pearl, technical name "nacre", is the inner layer of a sea shell. The iridescent colours and strength of this material were widely used in the nineteenth century as an inlay in jewellery, furniture, (especially papier mache furniture) and musical instruments.

    In the early 1900s it was used to make pearl buttons. Mother-of-pearl is a soft material that is easily cut or engraved.

    Nowadays it is a by-product of the oyster, freshwater pearl mussel and abalone industries.

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