Checkered Mother of Pearl Handheld Magnifying Glass | Large Desk Magnifier

There is a distinct pleasure in owning objects that refuse to look modern. This large handheld magnifying glass is a contemporary nod to 19th-century campaign aesthetics, designed to look entirely at home atop a stack of leather-bound books or a dark mahogany desk.

The handle is clad in a handsome, mosaic checkerboard pattern composed of polished white mother-of-pearl tiles contrasted against a dark, silken resin. The metal collar, rim, and finial are turned with clean, classic ribbing, providing a satisfying weight that makes you feel rather authoritative when checking the small print on an invoice.

While it will not satisfy the purist looking for Victorian hallmarks, it is a beautifully solid, functional piece of desk decor that excels at reading map scales, examining stamps, or simply looking terribly sophisticated while doing absolutely nothing at all.