|
|
The On-Line Museum and Encyclopedia of Vision Aids.
April 6, 2006 Wall Street Journal featured antiquespectacles.com on the front page. |
||||
Two World Class “Objects of Virtue”, Suitable for a King | ||||||
From the Goldman CollectionDuring the late 18th Century, there were a great many wealthy people in Europe as well as in the Far East. However, very few forms of entertainment were available then. The watch and clock industry were doing very well, especially in England and Switzerland. Watchmakers, along with jewelers and enamellers teamed up to produce some extremely beautiful and costly objects to entertain the wealthy--Objects of Virtue--as they are known today. Gold snuff boxes, pocket watches, miniature musical instruments--some with automated figures and miniature musical movements were in great demand. Nothing was out of reach--if someone wanted a special object, it was made. Pearls, diamonds and other precious stones could easily be added to any object--all for a price. The fact that these took months to manufacture and cost a princely amount was not a problem. People wanted these, had plenty of money and there was an eager group of workmen to answer the task. Two such objects are illustrated here--both completely original and in
excellent working order. To make these wonderful extraordinary pieces required
skill and a team of people working together.
|
|
|
