By collectors for collectors since 1996 – Collectables Features, Collectables Articles, Collecting News, Collecting Price Guides and everything collectableMonday, September 25, 2023
Jacques LeMaire is credited with the invention of the opera glass and the LeMaire Factory of Paris itself is recognised as the creator of many of the finest examples of opera glasses. We take a look at a selection including enamel style, painted style, and mother of pearl style. We also includes a price guide showing a number of examples with their realised prices at auction. (click to read An Introduction to Collecting Antique Opera Glasses).
Enamel style Opera Glasses
A pair of 19th Century Le Maire French Paris Ormolu and Green Enamel Opera Glasses. Sold for £440 at John Nicholsons, November 2021.French pink enamel with flower motif opera glasses with mother of Pearl barrels the eyepieces signed Lemaire F Paris. Sold for £400, April 2015.A Pair Of French Giltmetal Enamel And Mother Of Pearl Mounted Opera Glasses Early 20th C Engraved Lemaire Paris. Sold for £190 at Mellors and Kirk, September 2016.
Painted style Opera Glasses
Antique French Lemaire Enameled Opera Glasses Circa 1900 with painted body featuring courting couples. Sold for $695 on ebay, December 2021.
Courting couples are a popular theme on LeMaire pieces.
Fine 19th century Lemaire Hand Painted Enamel Opera Glasses with Butterfly and Bird details. Sold for $299 on ebay, January 2021.
Mother of Pearl style
LeMaire Mother Of Pearl Opera Glasess With Mother Of Pearl Body Showing Front And Reverse Views. Sold for £300 at Lots Road Auctions, July 2017.A very large pair of French early 20th century opera glasses stamped Lemaire Fabt Paris. One mother of pearl scale broken. Sold for £80 at Paul Beighton Auctioneers, March 2020.
