Indonesian Bone Magnifying Glass

The handle is carved bone. The lens has its own small ambitions.

This magnifying glass comes from Bali, Indonesia, and is contemporary, in bone, glass and sterling silver. Bali has long been home to skilled carvers and metalsmiths, and small useful objects there are often given the same care as ceremonial ones. The pale handle is carved in low relief with flowing scrollwork and capped at the end with silver. A bright beaded collar joins it to the lens, which sits in a slim round frame. It is 8 inches long and 3 in diameter.

Fine print has seldom looked this dignified.