brillerei

Brillerei is a historical term used in German-speaking regions to denote the trade, workshop, or shop dedicated to the manufacture, repair, and sale of spectacles. The word combines Brille (glasses) with the suffix -rei, indicating a place of business or craft. In practice, a Brillerei encompassed lens production and finishing, frame construction and finishing, mounting, and the repair and adjustment of eyewear, often conducted by a Brillenmacher or optician who also sold the finished products.

Historically, the Brillerei developed alongside the spread of spectacles in Europe from the late Middle Ages onward. Central technical tasks included lens grinding and polishing to achieve the desired magnification and focal properties, as well as assembling frames made of metal, horn, or other materials. Skilled practitioners offered fittings tailored to the wearer, combining optical accuracy with comfort. Many eyewear makers belonged to craft guilds, and Brillerei often operated as a distinct workshop within larger mercantile or artisanal centers.

With industrialization and the professionalization of eyewear services in the 19th and 20th centuries, the term Brillerei largely faded from common usage. Modern German tends to use terms such as Optiker (optician), Brillenladen (eyewear shop), or Brillenherstellung (glasses production) for contemporary references. Today, Brillerei is primarily encountered in historical sources, dictionaries, and discussions of antique craftsmanship.

See also: Eyewear, Optician, Lens making, Spectacles.