Oval and round wire-rim glasses with curved cable temples were iconic from the late 1800s to post-WWI. Without modern nose pads, they used a saddle bridge that sits flat on the nose, keeping frames close to the face and creating a compact fit.
The curved cable temples wrap firmly around the ears for secure, non-slip wear. These vintage frames are mostly finished in gold or silver, with luxury versions in solid gold or gold-filled metal.
After nose pads emerged in the 1920s, the style stopped mass production. Many antique examples were melted for precious metal, making original cable temple glasses rare and highly collectible today.
