lorgnettes

Lorgnettes are a form of eyewear consisting of a pair of small lenses mounted in a frame attached to a handle or short rod. They are held up to the eye when needed and removed afterward, rather than worn on the face. The term derives from the French lorgnette, from lorgner meaning to glance or peep, reflecting their function as a discreet viewing aid. Most designs include two lenses and a slender handle; some are folding or retractable, and materials range from metal or tortoiseshell to ivory. Lenses may be clear or tinted, and some examples incorporate magnification for close inspection.

The lorgnette was developed in France in the early 18th century and gained popularity in the 19th century among fashionable theatergoers and social elites. They served practical purposes in inspecting details at a distance or reading small print, while also functioning as a fashionable accessory. In use, a wearer would raise the lens to the eye and lower it as needed, often bearing ornate handles or chatelaine attachments.

Today, lorgnettes are primarily collector's items or novelty pieces, with occasional modern reproductions for period costume or stage use. They are largely superseded by regular eyeglasses but remain a notable example of historical eyewear and design, closely associated with the art and culture of Victorian and Edwardian eras. See also monocle.