A cased pair of mid to late 19^th century gold inlaid pique work tortoiseshell opera glass, circa 1860 by Dolland and Co

The barrels with pique stars, and inlaid gold and abalone shell courses of flower heads and foliage, with two vacant shield shaped cartouches. The turning wheel and eye rests of tortoiseshell. Double draw. The outer plate signed Dolland London, the inner draw section E. Berry Martin. Housed in a carry case with strap.

Length extended – 11.1 cm / 4.4 inches

£120-160

Dollond and Company, optical and scientific instrument makers, started in 1750 by Peter Dollond in Hatton Garden, London. In 1758 Dollond obtained a patent on a compound lens for refracting telescopes which was free of both chromatic and spherical aberration. He communicated his results to the Royal Society. The lenses were described as achromatic. 1761 John Dollond was appointed optician to George III and the Duke of York. In 1766 Peter went into partnership with his younger brother, John. They went onto supply optical instruments for Captain Cook and for Hadley. In 1820 Dollond were made opticians to George IV.