The use of lenses as a corrective system for the eyesight is said to date back to the Roman emperor Nero who, it seems, used an emerald as a monocle though not much credence should be given to this story. About 150 years after Christ, Ptolemy discovered certain fundamental repetitive optical phenomena concerning the refraction of light and wrote extensively on the subject. During the twelfth century, only some magnification systems were known. These made use of simple pieces of concave or convex glass that did not give a real picture of things. They were not widely used because they distorted reality. The first documentary evidence of lenses being used to correct eyesight dates back to thirteenth century Europe. Basing themselves on the theories of the Arab mathematician, Alhazen, medieval monks invented the so-called "reading stone" which they used to transcribe old books. This mainly consisted of rock crystal. The first person to describe the use of lenses to improve eyesight was Roger Bacon in 1262. He made various experiments with lenses and mirrors and described the principles of reflection and refraction. Roger Bacon was admired and protected by Pope Clement IV, but when the pope died he had to continue his studies in secret. He was discovered, accused of heresy and put in prison. When he got out, he continued his experiments but 300 years went by before Snellius formulated the laws of refraction between 1600 and 1620.
The pewter handles of our magnifying glasses are attached using a special technique: the molten pewter is directly cast onto the lens to form what is really a single element in which the "hardness" of the glass of the lens discreetly dissolves into the "soft" surface of the pewter handle.
The pewter handles of our magnifying glasses are attached using a special technique: the molten pewter is directly cast onto the lens to form what is really a single element in which the "hardness" of the glass of the lens discreetly dissolves into the "soft" surface of the pewter handle.
Letter opener
cm 22 14080 - IN STOCK |
Letter opener
cm 21 14090 - IN STOCK |
Letter opener
cm 24,5 76005 - IN STOCK |
Magnifying glass
cm Ø 6 36770 - IN STOCK |
Magnifying glass
cm Ø 7.5 36780 - IN STOCK |
Letter opener
cm 16,5 10020 - OUT OF STOCK |
Letter opener
cm h 12,6 200310 - IN STOCK |
Magnifying glass
cm 17 10030 - IN STOCK |
Letter opener
cm 23 294190 - IN STOCK |
Letter opener - daisy
cm 17,5 213260 - IN STOCK |
Letter opener - lily of the valley
cm 17 213960 - OUT OF STOCK |
Magnifying glass handle - lilium
cm 17,5 299520 - IN STOCK |
Letter opener - nymph
cm 24 299220 - IN STOCK |
Magnifying glass handle - nymph
cm 18 299490 - OUT OF STOCK |
Letter opener - nymph
cm 21 299580 - IN STOCK |