A superb and incredibly rare pair of mother of pearl Shibayama opera glasses 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. Invented in the 19th century, this must-have accessory for the elevated social classes and were designed to be used at the opera house for a better view of the onstage performances. This pair signed in the mother of pearl by the Japanese artisan who did the Shibayama work. France, Circa 1880 6cm High by 10cm Wide and 4cm Deep