This is the earlyest enameled oculer I have seen. The type of work is actually chamelave. The brass between the enamel is often mistaken for cloisonne. The brass on this handle is part of the casting. Powdered glass is then put in the caveties and kiln fired one color at a time, then polished smooth. In cloisonne the wire cells are soldiered on the body. I estimate it is from the 1860's or 1870's. The sides are flat as opposed to curved like the later ones. The eye pieces are gutta purcha or hard rubber. The entire piece screws off the shaft and has great optics. The handle is brass. This would be a very difficult piece to make from a pair of binoculars as enamel doesn't take heat. The enameling would be the last thing that was done before the optics are put into place.
Category: Gadget Sub Category: City - Manufactured
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