Manufactured by
Schildkraut Bros.
Owned by
Barnett, Etta Moten, American, 1901 - 2004
Date
ca. 1950
Medium
a: glass , metal , crystal (material by form) , plastic
b: beads , silk (fiber)
Dimensions
H x W x D (a: ): 1 9/16 × 4 1/16 × 1 15/16 in. (4 × 10.3 × 5 cm)
H x W x D (b: ): 1 3/16 × 6 5/16 × 3 3/4 in. (3 × 16 × 9.5 cm)
Caption
Etta Moten Barnett set on the women's board of the Chicago Lyric Opera Theater during the 1970s and 1980s.
Description
These are opera glasses (a) in a case (b). The opera glasses are gold and black with black crystals covering the body of the glasses and the attached handle. The attached handle is hinged so that it can be folded flat along the glasses. The objective lenses, bell and bridge are gold. The bridge does not hinge. The eye cups are black. The focus wheel is white. There is text carved into the bridge that reads “MIGNON 25X.” The case (b) is black satin with a black beaded exterior, that closes with a gold snap. The largest compartment holds the opera glasses. There are multiple smaller interior compartments that close with a gold magnetic fastener. Sewn into the smallest pocket is a white fabric tag with gold text that reads " MADE IN JAPAN / by hand / SCHILDKRAUT BROS."
Place used
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States, North and Central America
Collection title
Etta Moten Barnett Archive
Classification
Clothing - Fashion and Historical
Type
opera glasses
cases (containers)
Topic
Activism
Actors
Broadway Theatre
Clothing and dress
Fashion
Singers (Musicians)
Women
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
A2022.13.1.17ab
Restrictions & Rights
Unknown – Restrictions Possible
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5e13e1e63-2d8e-4b17-aa48-7fcd0d8de614

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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