Spectacle case, 1850-75, British, lacquer inlaid with mother-of-pearl. This case for spectacles was acquired in 1875 for the Museum's "Animal Products" collection, illustrating the use of mother-of-pearl as a decoration. Mother-of-pearl is the smooth, lustrous interior lining of a variety of shells, particularly pearl oysters, often used for jewellery and decoration. In storage at the V and A Museum.
