Museo Galileo
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Pince-nez spectacles
    • Setting:
      Room XVIII
    • Maker:
      unknown
    • Date:
      second half 18th cent.
    • Materials:
      gilt brass
    • Dimensions:
      length 105 mm, height 60 mm
    • Inventory:
      2581
    • Pince-nez spectacles (Inv. 2581)
    • Pince-nez spectacles (Inv. 2581)

Gilt brass pince-nez spectacles. The lenses, however, are replaced by two brass disks holding two short cylinders with viewing holes. The disks serve to limit the pupil diameter, thereby improving eyesight in certain conditions. This contrivance was first described in 1677 by Chérubin d'Orléans, but was probably known earlier.