Eyeglasses
Object number2015.84.2 a,b
Retailer
Dr. Frank C. Ferrante
Manufacturer
Artcraft Blazers
(founded 1950)
Date1913-1948
OriginPittsburgh, PA
MediumMetal/Glass/Plastic/Gold/Paper/Velvet
Credit LineGift of Norina H. Daubner
DescriptionEyeglasses with case. Eyeglasses with foldable arms. Glass lenses that are rounded along top and have rounded square bottom edges. Gold metal rims along the top of lenses. Gold metal bridge at center with geometric design on front and inscribed maker text on back. Two off-white/yellow nose pads. Arms are gold metal with rounded temple tips that wrap around the ears; geometric design along the temples; arms are flexible and fold inward. Brown eyeglasses case with hinged lid. Rounded rectangle. Interior is lined with burgundy velvet.Dimensions(a) Height 2.375, Width 4.813, Depth folded 0.5, Depth unfolded 4.875;(b) Height 2.25, Width 5.313, Depth 0.625.
Marks(a)
Gold metal bridge has inscribed text on back "ARTCRAFT 1/10 12K GE [emblem]".
Arms have inscribed text on interior of temple "ARTCRAFT 1/10 12K GE".
(b)
Exterior has raised decoration on front left featuring crest on left above raised gold text "BETTER SIGHT" and raised gold text to the right "DR. FERRANTE / 610 MAY BLDG. / PITTSBURGH, PA."
Historical NotesEyeglasses and case used by Andrea Mazzotti. Andrea Mazzotti was born in Salerno, Italy circa 1892, and immigrated to Pittsburgh in 1913, at the age of 21. Trained as a musician in Italy, he specialized in baritone, trombone, and violin and worked as a session musician for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and in bands throughout the city. While it was uncommon for an immigrant to make a living as a professional musician playing anything other than ethnic standards in the 1920s and 1930s, Mazzotti was fortunate to find work during the Great Depression through the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and played both classical and popular American music. He also worked as a conductor and tutor, teaching at Volkwein Brothers' Studio. Mazzotti was unable to participate in the draft during WWII due to his poor eyesight and instead used his musical talents to participate in War Bond rallies throughout the region. Besides working as a musician, he also sold life insurance through the Knights Life Insurance Company of America; during one sales outing, Mazzotti was robbed and took to carrying a blackjack after the incident. He died on March 22, 1948.
Previous owner
Andrea Mazzotti
(Italian, c. 1892 - 1948)
Related institution
Knights Life Insurance Company of America
Related institution
Volkwein Brothers' Studio
Related institution
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Related institution
Works Progress Administration
On View
Not on view
Vera Wang
Randolph Engineering, Inc.
Randolph Engineering, Inc.
Randolph Engineering, Inc.
Randolph Engineering, Inc.
