Wire-Rim Spectacles

Object/Artifact

-

The Recorded Image Project

Name/Title

Wire-Rim Spectacles

Entry/Object ID

RE-AR-2026-0011

Description

1880-1905

Use

Spectacles/Glasses

Category

1880's, 1900's, Victorian

Made/Created

Date made

circa 1880 - circa 1905

Time Period

20th Century, Victorian

Place

Continent

North America

Notes

Likely United States or Europe • Oval lenses → dominant before 1900 • Cable temples (curved wire that wraps behind the ear) → common 1870s–1900 • No nose pads (just a shaped bridge) → earlier production • Very thin wire construction → pre-mass-production eyewear

Materials

Material

Metal, Glass, Paper

Material Notes

Thin metal wire frames (likely steel or low-grade nickel alloy) Oval glass lenses Cable (wrap-around) temples Type: Spectacles slip case Era: Late 19th century, c. 1870–1900 Origin: Likely United States or Europe Materials: Leather exterior (vegetable-tanned) - Feels like paper? Felt or wool-lined interior (dark purple/black) Hand-shaped, not molded

Condition

Overall Condition

Fair

Date Examined

Jan 23, 2026

General Notes

Note Type

Description

Note

Wire-rim spectacles with cable temples. Paper/Cardboard case.

Create Date

January 23, 2026