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Ocularist's Glass Eye Cabinet
- This 19th-century cabinet contains an assortment of 650 individual hand-blown glass eyes
- A collection of this magnitude would have resided in the office of a prominent ocularist
- The mahogany cabinet doors are adorned with a pair of carved eyelids and glass eyes
- Organized by iris color and other distinctive features, this collection is a fascinating scientific rarity
- Get complete item description here
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19th Century
This 19th-century cabinet contains an assortment of 650 individual hand-blown glass eyes. A collection of this magnitude would have resided in the office of a prominent ocularist, someone who specialized in crafting and fitting prosthetic eyes. The mahogany cabinet doors, adorned with a pair of carved eyelids and glass eyes, open to reveal ten shelves, each fitted with 65 eyes carefully stored in original red baize lining. Organized. . .
19th Century
This 19th-century cabinet contains an assortment of 650 individual hand-blown glass eyes. A collection of this magnitude would have resided in the office of a prominent ocularist, someone who specialized in crafting and fitting prosthetic eyes. The mahogany cabinet doors, adorned with a pair of carved eyelids and glass eyes, open to reveal ten shelves, each fitted with 65 eyes carefully stored in original red baize lining. Organized by iris color and other distinctive features, this collection is a fascinating scientific rarity.
Precision was paramount for ocularists to match the unique dimensions of each individual's eye socket. Variations in size, iris color, thickness and shape all necessitated skilled painting and craftsmanship, resulting in glass eyes of remarkable realism and individuality.
The development of realistic glass eyes is often traced to 16th-century Venetian glassmakers, who pioneered techniques for creating lifelike ocular prostheses. Though early iterations were delicate, later French and German ocularists advanced the field by utilizing innovative glass, resulting in durable and lifelike eye prosthetics. From the 16th to 19th centuries, Paris emerged as the hub of artificial eye production. Exceptionally thin enamel glass and glass shells such as these were ingeniously designed to cover atrophied eyes, setting the field’s standard of excellence.
54" high x 22 1/2" wide x 17 1/4" deep
| Period: | 19th Century |
| Type: | Specimen Cabinets |
| Depth: | 17.25 in. (43.82 cm) |
| Width: | 22.5 in. (57.15 cm) |
| Height: | 54.0 in. (137.16 cm) |
Buy With Confidence
For over a century, we've placed important art, rare jewels and exceptional objects with more than 14,000 collectors worldwide, and have been recognized by trusted publications including Robb Report, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and more.
On Approval
Examine select works in person before you commit
125% Guarantee
Full credit plus 5% annual appreciation for five years
Trusted Expertise
Over two centuries of combined experience across our specialists
