Brass & Ivory-Colored Antique Enamel Opera Glasses

Type

Opera binoculars

Hidden Treasures on the Brick Road 10003 270th St NW, Stanwood, wa 98292 Open Fridays 1-4pm & Saturdays 1-6pm (Closed 6/14/2025) Elegant and compact, these antique opera glasses are a fine example of early 20th-century craftsmanship. Featuring a classic brass frame with ivory-colored enamel barrels, they offer both style and function. Likely dating to the 1910s–1920s, these binoculars were popular accessories for theatergoers and remain a charming collectible today. The central focusing wheel turns smoothly, and both objective and ocular lenses are present and clear. These opera glasses are ideal for display or light use, the compact size also makes them an appealing prop or conversation piece. Features: Materials: Brass, enamel, glass Color: Brass with ivory-toned barrels Functioning center focus Estimated age: Circa 1910s–1920s Length (inches): 4.00 Width (inches): 1.50 Height (inches): 3.00 Condition: Fair Vintage Condition, Visible cosmetic damage (crack), general surface wear, and brass tarnish. Likely dating from the 1910s–1920s because: Brass construction with ivory-colored enamel was very popular for opera glasses in the late 19th to early 20th century. By the mid-20th century, manufacturers shifted to more modern materials like aluminum and plastic. The shape and detailing (e.g., the knurled central focusing wheel and domed eyepieces) are consistent with styles commonly made from the 1890s to the 1920s. These opera glasses are small and designed for theater use, not field use. This compact, decorative style became especially popular between Edwardian times and the interwar years. No rubber eyepieces, plastic components, coated lenses, or modern branding. More recent opera glasses often have retractable handles, folding frames, or branding/engraving (missing here).