Description
Delightful and RARE Stanhope with a hand holding a magnifying glass!
This is an amazing little work of art in the form of a magnifying glass c1910.
At the top of the handle is a Stanhope in an unusual ovoid shape with 2 holes:
One for peering through and the other to allow light in.
The ovoid top is finished wonderfully with a sunflower head (typical decoration of the period).
The images inside are 4 views of tourist attractions in Dudley arranged as follows:
[tiny title across the top which I am unable to read]
Priory Ruins Market Place
Dudley Town No. 223[?]
Black County Museum Castle Zoo
The above images are drawings based on photographs.
This is obviously an item that was made to promote Dudley as a tourist attraction and may have been available at a local hotel.
The handle is made of a metal which is possibly pewter and the ring around the magnifying glass is chrome (very popular in the Edwardian period)..
It is in amazing condition as shown and could do with a slight clean.
Overall measures 12cm in length with the glass having a diameter of 4.5cm.
A very rare and desirable antique: we have not seen another one like it.
