Rare Early ‘Cape Silver ?’ Spectacles (c.1780-1830)

Rare Early Cape Silver ? Spectacles (c.1780-1830)

This wonderful pair of rare sterling silver, folding, framed spectacles with oval lenses, feature hinged arms that fold-out and downward behind the ears, to stop the glasses falling off whilst reading or writing. Ive done a fair amount of research on these since listing them and Im now of the opinion that they were possibly made in the Cape in the late 1700s. This type or style of frames were used between 1780-1830 and are stamped on the inside of each arm with a single hallmark of a 'Lion Passant' officially known as the British 'Standard Mark' for sterling silver and the word 'PEBBLES' next to it. Normally an English made piece of silver would have other hallmarks with it (Date letter & town mark). Ive come across a few cape silversmiths who also used this Lion stamp, two of which are very similar Daniel Collinet and John Townsend and Ive also come across a very similar pair of spectacles made by a cape silversmith. These scarce eyeglasses are in excellent condition and come with their, possibly original case which has a gilt stamped name underneath which reads 'OPTICAL CHEMIST, G. Michaels, CHURCH STREET, ROBERTSON'.

Please feel free to email me with any queries, and please look closely at the pictures provided as they are of the actual item and form a vital part of the description.

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