AFTER, which mainly deals in French vintage frames, has received a unique piece. As you can tell from the combination of two dots on the front and three dots on the temples, this is a British-made pair.
Made of tortoiseshell, dating from the 1930s, and crafted by the first Oliver Goldsmith. We are proud to introduce this special pair, one of the finest vintage eyewear pieces, in conjunction with the renewal of our website.
The front design has an extremely high bridge and a unique lens shape, giving it a distinctly London feel.
The combination of two dots on the front and three dots on the temples is a feature only seen in British-made vintage eyewear. EYEVAN 7285 also sometimes adopts this approach when aiming for a British aesthetic.
Tortoiseshell is a material made by layering the shells of hawksbill sea turtles. In addition to its rich color and lustrous sheen, its protein-based composition makes it gentle on the skin. Furthermore, even if damaged, it can be repaired by applying heat and pressure, which is why it has always been used as a top-grade material throughout the history of eyewear.
Oliver Goldsmith, founded in London in 1926, started as a brand that created handmade tortoiseshell frames for individual customers.
A piece of eyewear made by Oliver Goldsmith using tortoiseshell, with almost the same design as the one we are introducing here, is housed in the V&A Museum, the UK's national museum. This further suggests that it is a historic piece rather than just a vintage item.
The design of the temple tips, which resembles a musical note, was one of the temple variations offered by Oliver Goldsmith at the time.
Those accustomed to it say that they can tell the material is tortoiseshell by the sensation of the temple tips sliding over their ears when worn.
In terms of design, another characteristic is its considerable volume for eyewear of that era, which tended to be slender. It can be worn with modern fashion without any discomfort.
Furthermore, its precision craftsmanship is so high that it's hard to believe it's nearly 100 years old. The hinges, polished flush with the temples, open and close very smoothly without any rattling or creaking, and are in excellent condition.
The hinges are as wide as the temples, ensuring sufficient strength. The carefully rounded corners and polished surfaces suggest that it was handmade for a special client.
During a recent overseas buying trip, a dealer who sensed my interest mainly in 40s vintage brought out a box of eight pieces from the back, and this particular pair clearly stood out from the others.
The price is certainly not cheap, but considering that it is made of tortoiseshell and was handmade by the first Oliver Goldsmith in the 1930s, those who love and know eyewear will likely not find it excessively expensive.
This is a historic piece that goes beyond vintage, and it's safe to say there will be no further arrivals. Please come and see it in person at the store.
