Lorgnette

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A lorgnette is a pair of glasses or a mask that, rather than fitting over the ears, has a handle by which to hold them in place. They were invented by an Englishman named George Adams. The lorgnette was usually worn as a piece of jewelry, rather than to enhance vision. Fashionable ladies usually wore them rather than spectacles. These were very popular at masquerade parties and used often at the opera.