A striking and unusual collector’s set: a fitted case housing 41 early 20th‑century glass human eyes — a rare survival from a period when anatomical glassware combined scientific utility with artisan craftsmanship.
Key highlights
Collection: 41 glass human eyes presented in a tailored case (case dimensions: 34 cm wide × 16.5 cm deep × 3 cm high).
Condition: Very nice condition. Many exhibit exceptionally fine painted detail in the iris and sclera.
Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Errol Fuller (author of "Dodo: From Extinction to Icon" and "Extinct Birds")
Date: Early 20th century — hand-crafted period pieces reflecting the high standard of anatomical glasswork of the era.
Bonus: Comes with paperwork and receipts from customers borrowing the eyes and then returning them in the 1970s.
Why this set matters
These eyes are more than curiosities; they are artifacts of medical history and skilled glassmaking. Early anatomical glass eyes were used for teaching, prosthetics study, and display. The surviving examples in this group show delicate, hand-painted irises, realistic veining, and subtle surface patination consistent with age — details that distinguish studio-made glasswork from later mass-produced casts.
Aesthetic and display Presented in its original fitted case, the set reads equally well as a cabinet of curiosities, museum-quality specimen grouping, or conversation piece for a collector of medical history, oddities, or artisanal glass. The compact, low-profile case makes the set easy to integrate into a display or storage cabinet while protecting the pieces.
A striking and unusual collector’s set: a fitted case housing 41 early 20th‑century glass human eyes — a rare survival from a period when anatomical glassware combined scientific utility with artisan craftsmanship.
Key highlights
Collection: 41 glass human eyes presented in a tailored case (case dimensions: 34 cm wide × 16.5 cm deep × 3 cm high).
Condition: Very nice condition. Many exhibit exceptionally fine painted detail in the iris and sclera.
Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Errol Fuller (author of "Dodo: From Extinction to Icon" and "Extinct Birds")
Date: Early 20th century — hand-crafted period pieces reflecting the high standard of anatomical glasswork of the era.
Bonus: Comes with paperwork and receipts from customers borrowing the eyes and then returning them in the 1970s.
Why this set matters
These eyes are more than curiosities; they are artifacts of medical history and skilled glassmaking. Early anatomical glass eyes were used for teaching, prosthetics study, and display. The surviving examples in this group show delicate, hand-painted irises, realistic veining, and subtle surface patination consistent with age — details that distinguish studio-made glasswork from later mass-produced casts.
Aesthetic and display Presented in its original fitted case, the set reads equally well as a cabinet of curiosities, museum-quality specimen grouping, or conversation piece for a collector of medical history, oddities, or artisanal glass. The compact, low-profile case makes the set easy to integrate into a display or storage cabinet while protecting the pieces.
