A superb and incredibly rare pair of gilt bronze and mother of pearl Shibayama opera glasses by Lemaire in its original leather carry case. The beautiful mother of pearl case decorated by bugs. The Shibayama technique was named after Shibayama Dosho, who introduced it in Japan in the 18th century. It was used exclusively on items for import to the West. Shibayama is the art of semiprecious stones, shell, turtleshell etc inlayed on lacquer and ivory pieces. The items decorated in the Shibayama style range from vases, boxes and table-screens to swords and entire ivory tusks. However he cannot be said to have invented it, but, as has been observed of many other Japanese applied arts, the perfecting of the method was mistaken for its origin. Dating from the late 19th century, these were made by renowned craftsman Jacques LeMaire, who is credited with the invention of this must-have accessory for the elevated social classes, and whose factory in Paris is recognised as the creator of some of the finest examples of them. Designed to be used at the opera house for a better view of the onstage performances France Circa 1880