Lorgnette - Feminine Origin, 18th Century

A spyglass constructed of white and brown horn and cardboard lined with white-dyed fish skin (ray or shark) and green vellum. The spyglass is unsigned but French, dating from the 18th century. The original optics function perfectly. Good overall condition. The small spyglass is kept in its original case. At the bottom of the case, a handwritten note reads "Year 1711 from Malherbe Selongey Côte d'Or." Inside the case, around the spyglass, is a visiting card of "Madame Marchesseau," that is, Marie Thérèse Virginie de Malherbe de l'Abbeville (1841-1926), born in Dijon and died in La Rochelle. Her husband, Jules Victor Marchesseau (1827-1887), was a solicitor and later director of the Crédit Foncier bank in La Rochelle. She noted on the card: "An old thing to add to all the others Mr. Coudray (?) has in his display case. When I'm gone, he'll think of me." The spyglass measures 4.8 cm in diameter by 8 cm in length when closed. The case measures 9.2 cm in length and 5.7 cm in diameter.