Saxon & Medieval — Late Medieval; 15th century
Spectacles
These 'pince-nez' spectacles were originally fitted with convex lenses for reading. Demand for reading glasses increased in the mid-1400s when printed books began to appear. In 1480-81 imports to London included cargoes of over 30 gross (30 x 144) of spectacles. This pair has a bone frame (cattle bone) with an iron pivot so that the lenses can sit either side of the wearer's nose. There are no arms on this type of spectacle.
- Category:
- Saxon & Medieval
- Object ID:
- 94.49
- Object name:
- spectacles
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- —
- Related people:
- —
- Related events:
- —
- Related places:
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- Production date:
- Late Medieval; 15th century
- Material:
- bone, iron
- Measurements/duration:
- L 59 mm, DM 33 mm, T 2 mm (overall)
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Credit:
- —
- Copyright holder:
- digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.