Jenny Benjamin
👤 PersonAppearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
Isn't that a beautiful word?
But what a lorgnette is, is a pair of eyeglasses that are fitted to a handle, much like a pocket knife, so that your eyeglasses slide into the handle and then can be put away.
So the handle is also the spectacle case.
It's keeping them safe when you're not in use.
Right?
And then when you pull them out, and these were considered ladies' glasses primarily.
And when you pulled it out, you know what my favorite?
Ever see Downton Abbey where the Dowager Duchess pulls out her eyeglasses and she's holding them with one hand?
And they flip up just in front of her eyes as she needs them.
And she peers at you and she looks very imperious, of course.
Older than yours, I imagine.
What flair.
It's a great costuming.
But it was true.
This is how they were used.
And they were usually handcrafted for folks who could afford it.
And we have several here that have jewels in them and gorgeous enamels.
They're like pieces of jewelry.
We would love it.
Oh, no.