V RARE Antique French Palais Royal 8-Draw Opera Glass, Telescope, 18k & Carved Mother of Pearl

Such a thrill, the things that pass through our hands! This is a very rare item, late 18th to earliest 19th century 8-draw telescope, opera glass, monocular with origins in the boutiques of the Palais Royal boutiques along the garden promenade of the old Palace of Cardinal Richelieu. The kiln-fired 18k gold plaques with flower (4 in all around this large eyeglass) are each in place. All of the mother of pearl pieces are hand carved in various scenes and remain perfectly intact without so much as a tiny nip. SO rare to find, I have seen only 1 other in 4 decades of buying, and unlike ours, that one had flawed lenses. This one has clear and focused lens still at both ends – the originals. I did not try to take it all apart to clean the few flecks of dust that are on the inside of the glass, as they don’t show in use – just show in our lighted digital images of them. No chips or flaws there. Full measurements and lots of photos of this rare treasure so you can see all the carvings, plaques.

Very good to excellent condition throughout. It is amazing to see this so complete and with only one rather innocuous flaw to disclose: I’ve marked on photos where there is a very small dent to the large rim, as if it might have been dropped from hand to a desktop. There is no corresponding damage to the fully intact large lens, so not much of a bump.  The sections draw smoothly, but are tight. Use some gentle pull when opening it and closing it. Not fragile, but just out of respect. The 8-draw treasure could only be better if it still came in an original protective carry case.