Antique French 6-Draw Opera Glass, Telescope, Monocular, Napoleon Era Vernis Martin Barrel DeBruyn The mother of pearl needle

The mother of pearl needle case is trimmed out in 18k gold

no frame but the black beveled edges act as such

"The Munshi"

I would date it c

yet they're 120-150 years old

Antique French 6-Draw Opera Glass, Telescope, Monocular, Napoleon Era Vernis Martin Barrel DeBruyn The mother of pearl needleI imagine this was originally found at the boutiques of the old Palais Royal promenade, the little stars all around and the hand painted barrel in layers of paint and varnish giving it depth and added appeal and value. That method is routinely called, "Vernis Martin" after the brothers Martin who invented it. A method much loved by Marie Antoinette, but I digress. The compact opera glass, surely a gentleman's, would collapse and tuck into a pocket.