Stanhope 18-karat Gold Theater Binoculars Charm - Mid-19th-century Work

A charming 18-karat gold charm/pendant featuring a pair of miniature theater binoculars that are finely engraved.

The two lenses contain a microphotograph depicting the same man, visible when looking through the binoculars from the back. This process, known as Stanhope, involves embedding a microscopic photograph at the tip of a convex lens so that it becomes visible under magnification.

Very fashionable in the second half of the 19th century, these pieces of jewelry offer a fascinating glimpse into the early days of photography and its application to the decorative arts. The identity of the person depicted could not be determined; however, his attire seems to date the portrait to around the 1860s. If you manage to identify it, please don't hesitate to contact me!

A beautiful curiosity at the intersection of jewelry, optics, and photography.

Dated to the second half of the 19th century.
As is. Some dents and wear on the binoculars’ decoration.
One microphotograph is in very good condition; the second is damaged and slightly loose in its mount. Both depict the same person.