1287 Riveted Spectacle - Swan Stairs Find, London UK

Includes spectacle frame, reading lenses, leather case and a Historic EyeWear Company Micro-Fiber cleaning cloth

THE HISTORY BEHIND THE SPECTACLES

Riveted spectacles were the first wearable vision aid. Invented in Pisa, Italy approximately 1287 AD. Riveted spectacles facilitated aging scholars, religious clerics, literate men etc. with improved vision enabling them a degree of relief in their work and studies. Riveted spectacles remained in use for almost 250 years. 

Riveted spectacles are period correct for actors, re-enactors, costumers, prop masters etc. portraying the latter part of the Medieval period and the Renaissance period. Perfect for collectors who would like to add to their collections. Beechwood frame includes reading magnification lenses, leather case and cleaning cloth. Choose from a variety of lens power options in both clear/white with or without Anti-reflective coating or with period correct aquamarine/teal tint.  Lens diameter 34mm, 44mm including frame surround.

There is some evidence that a cord was sometimes used to hold Riveted spectacles in place on the wearers face. Concave lenses for correction of distance vision had yet to be invented so we can presume that the cords were used to hold the spectacles on the wearers face during reading and close work, or perhaps while sitting for their portrait to leverage greater degree of academic distinction.

The last possibility being use by farsighted persons requiring convex lenses for for distance vision.

Our Riveted spectacles are laser cut from beechwood by ZanozaWorkshop, Chișinău, Moldova