Founded in 1990, China Wudung Optics Co., Ltd. is an innovative optics technology antique opera glasses, old opera glasses designer and manufacturer, which is engaging in photoelectric instruments and optic instruments. After about 20 years' development, our company has the capacity of complete machine process, spray-paint on surface, electron process, optics assembling. We have own custom antique opera glasses, old opera glasses review, research and development center, production line, marketing and after-sales service department and molding, injection, painting and silk printing workshops. About 60% of our orders are OEM or ODM. We can offer you R&D services that cover market research, design, mold making, samples, trial production and market testing.

Multiple draw opera glasses are more rare, as with this patented example in ivory and brass from 1874 (shown on the left). One or two draws would be more normal. The resemblance of this object to two spyglasses is quite striking.
Some opera glasses were made for prestige clients from very precious materials. Such objects will often be treated by museums or antique dealers as decorative arts objects rather than optical devices. Indeed the optical power of opera glasses is usually weak, seldom producing a magnification of more than X3, however that is usually adequate to see the action on a stage whilst retaining a bright enough image and a wide field of view. This very fragile pair of collapsible opera glasses (shown second left) features telescopic paper tubes. It was made in mid-19th century France. Similar examples exist where the paper has rotted away completely leaving just a skeleton framework. Unusually, the handle (now missing) and Mother-of-Pearl focusing screw are at the opposite end to the eyepieces.

Oval eyes compensated in part for the limited visual field provided by round opera glasses. They were also better for users with a wide inter-pupillary distance since, unlike field glasses, very few antique opera glasses, old opera glasses had folding bridges adjustable for p.d. The oval-eyed opera glasses pictured with ivory barrels date from the early 20th century and bear the name of H. Oltzappfel & Co of 64 Charing Cross, Opticians to the Prince of Wales. We also reproduce an advertisement from 1954 where it would appear that adjustable p.d. is considered a novelty. Below that is an unusual pair of French 'Polyscopic' patent opera glasses. Designed and made by a Dr Harweiler in Paris, the dark brown leather-covered tapering barrels have a patented extension mechanism operated by a swivelling ring. Opera glasses have influenced the design of many other common objects for instance this inkwell, of uncertain age but already in our collection by 1935 and the cruet set, a tourist souvenir from the French resort of Nice, though made in Germany!