Charming Empire Style Silver Magnifying Glass By Henin~Sold~

Antique French Silver Empire Style Magnifying Glass By Henin & Cie
This Charming Magnifying Glass is typical of the ‘ Retour D’Egypte’ (Back from Napoleon’s Egypt Campaign) Empire Style which was popular under Napoleon the First but also towards the end of the 19th century.

It used freely symbols from the Ancient Egypt in its decoration and more particularly Sphinxes and Pharaohs as well as different Gods taken from the Egyptian Mythology.

In the case of our charming Magnifying Glass we have the symbol of the winged Sphinx in its Feminine form with the traditional royal stripped head cloth or Némès.
The Handle is decorated with a caduceus and entwined cornucopias.
The Glass itself is surrounded by a laurel leaf wreath.

The glass has a very tiny mark but is otherwise in perfect functioning condition!
A fun piece to showcase in your home!

The Hallmark is Minerve 1 -1st title (950/1000) – Hence 1838 to 1919 – Paris

The Makers Mark is for HENIN & Compagnie. It shows an H the sign & and a C topped by a branch and a star underneath the letters.
The Mark was registered on May 11th 1875. Their shop was located at 33 Rue Des Archives in the Marais area of Paris.
Henin & Compagnie were the successors of Thomas & Henin which first started in 1865. They were followed by Henin Freres which registered their mark by August 1865 and cancelled it in August 1872. In turn they were followed by Henin & Fils which finally gave way to Henin & Compagnie in 1875.
Henin & Compagnie were in turn followed by Henin & Vivier in 1891.
In 1933 the dynasty gave way to the House of Henin.

H: 8.26"Reference number: CC-141