Eyeglasses Case

ClassificationsContainers

Date1860-1912

Made AtChina, Asia

MediumShagreen and brass

Dimensions6 5/8 × 2 5/8 × 1 1/4 in. (16.8 × 6.7 × 3.2 cm)

Credit LineGift of Anne and Long Shung Shih

Object number2019.15.34a,b

DescriptionThis is a Qing Dynasty Chinese eyeglasses case. Eyeglasses were first introduced to China sometime around the 15th Century and by the end of the Qing Dynasty were readily used by those with impaired eyesight. These cases use shagreen, which is a type of untanned leather from several different animals, in this case salmon. It is most often dyed green and was used fairly regularly during the Qing Dynasty for an assortment of decorated utilitarian objects.

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