Lemaire Fabi Paris Brass and Leather Opera Glasses, c.1900

Story

During the glittering Belle Époque, Paris was the undisputed capital of high society, fashion, and theater. These elegant glasses were designed to be held by fashionable theatergoers at the Opéra Garnier, turning a functional optical tool into a vital social accessory.

Maker / Origin

Lemaire was founded in Paris in 1847 by Jean-Baptiste Lemaire and quickly became one of the world's premier manufacturers of high-quality optics. Recognizable by their signature bee logo (often stamped on the frame), Lemaire's opera glasses were celebrated globally for their superior French lenses and exquisite decorative casings.

Condition & Value

The opera glasses show significant cosmetic wear, with the original finish or wrap on the barrels mostly worn away, leaving a beautiful green and gold patina. The mechanical focusing mechanism appears intact, and the original leather case shows typical age-related scuffing but remains structurally sound.