Antique Picard Paris Opera Glasses with Original Fitted Case, Tested and Working
Viridian Eclection
The Piece
A pair of antique opera glasses marked Picard Paris, compact in form, with their original fitted case.
The body is black coated with warm gilt toned detailing, and the eyepiece carries the maker's name in delicate gold lettering. The form is the familiar twin lens opera glass, with a center focus wheel between the barrels.
The case is shaped to the glasses and lined in deep red. Its exterior is worn, the brass clasp has aged, and the jewel toned interior remains intact.
The finish on the glasses is softly worn, with patina and surface marks consistent with age and use. The optics have been tested and confirmed working.
History & Provenance
The glasses are marked Picard Paris on the eyepiece, which gives both the maker's name and a French, Paris origin.
No date appears on the glasses or the case. The compact twin lens form, the center focus wheel and the shaped fitted case belong to the Victorian and Edwardian theater accessory, the Belle Epoque period in France, so the dating rests on form rather than on a mark and a precise year is to be confirmed.
These were objects of occasion, carried to the theater, the opera and formal performances where seeing well mattered and the accessory carried was noticed as well. The visible wear is the record of that use.
That they still function is worth stating plainly. Most surviving opera glasses have passed into decorative afterlife. These have not.
Product Details
| Item Type | Antique opera glasses with fitted case |
| Maker | Marked Picard Paris on the eyepiece |
| Origin | French, Paris marked |
| Era | Antique. Victorian to Edwardian in form, the Belle Epoque period in France. A precise date is to be confirmed |
| Form | Compact twin lens opera glass with center focus wheel |
| Materials | Metal, optical glass, black coated body, gilt toned accents, fitted case with red lining |
| Color | Black, warm brass and gilt, with an oxblood red interior lining |
| Marks | Picard Paris, in gold lettering on the eyepiece |
| Included | Original fitted hard case with deep red interior |
| Function | Tested and working |
| Dimensions | To be confirmed |
| Condition | Antique condition with visible age wear, finish loss, patina and surface marks consistent with age and use. Optics tested and working, and antique optics may still show age related character consistent with period use |
Why It Belongs in Your Home
Small optical antiques hold a shelf better than their size suggests, because they ask to be picked up. These do that, and they reward it by still working.
Displayed open in the fitted case, the black and gilt of the glasses against the deep red lining makes a composition in itself. Closed, the case is a discreet object that can sit among books.
They suit a study, a library, a dressing room or a cabinet of curiosities, and they bring an old world Parisian note to a room. For a collector of antique optical instruments or French decorative objects, the combination of a maker's mark, the original case and working optics is the whole argument.
Every piece is packed with professional-grade materials: multiple foam layers, double-boxing, directional and fragile handling labels. For large furniture we use custom timber crating. We photograph packing before dispatch and can provide images on request.
White-glove delivery is complimentary within 100 miles of Reno, NV. National shipping quotes provided at checkout. All shipments are photographed and documented. Damage claims must be filed with the carrier; we provide all documentation needed to support your claim.
Local pickup is available at Viridian HQ (Reno, NV) with 2–4 days notice. Contact us to arrange. Private viewings also available.
All antique and vintage items are sold as described and all sales are final. Each listing includes detailed condition notes and photographs so you can make a fully informed decision. We encourage buyers to ask questions — about condition, dimensions, finish, provenance — before purchasing.
Antiques are irreplaceable and one-of-a-kind. Carrier handling is outside our control once a piece has left our facility, and major carriers including FedEx do not insure antiques. We do everything within our power to ensure safe transit, but cannot accept liability for carrier damage. If damage occurs in transit, we will provide full documentation to support your carrier claim.
Have a question? — we're happy to provide additional photos, condition detail, or discuss the piece directly.
