Pince-nez ( /ˈpænsneɪ/ or /ˈpɪnsneɪ/; ) are a style of spectacles, popular in the 19th century, which are supported without earpieces, by pinching the bridge of the nose. The name comes from French pincer, to pinch, and nez, nose.
Although pince-nez were used in Europe in the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries, modern ones appeared in the 1840s and reached their peak popularity around 1880 to 1900.
Read more about Pince-nez: Varieties of Pince-nez, Others, Retention Methods, Use in Early Air Combat, In Popular Culture