Vintage Opera Glasses – Japan 3x26, Mother-of-Pearl & Enamel (1950s–60s)

Description
An elegant pair of opera glasses, Japanese-made, with 3x26 magnification — enough to bring the stage closer while still keeping the full scene in view. Wrapped in polished mother-of-pearl inlay and set against glossy black enamel, trimmed in gilt, they were less an optical instrument and more a statement piece for evenings at the theater.

Usage (Then & Now)

• Then: The perfect companion for spotting divas, princes, or scandalous affairs across the mezzanine.

• Now: A collector’s delight, display-worthy in a cabinet, or still functional for concerts, plays, or just admiring the neighbors’ garden from a refined distance.

Obscure Lore
They say opera glasses weren’t just for better vision — but also for discreetly admiring who sat in the private boxes. Half optics, half social espionage.

Modern Appeal
Compact, ornate, and steeped in cultural ritual, these glasses embody the glamour of old theater nights. They whisper of champagne intermissions and velvet curtains.