Advanced Search
Home  / 1239.001

Ocular prosthesis

Ocular prosthesis

Collection of 48 artificial eyes showing various stages of manufacturing, 1960-1970.

Production date
1960-1970
Production organisations
Unknown
Labels
The way that new eyes are made has hardly changed since the 1960s, when these eye parts are from.
Thanks to changes in photography, scanning and printing, new ways of making eyes are now beginning to appear.

I’m interested in these objects because I once watched a historical video about the ‘Invincible Soldier’ who fought in the Boer War up to WWII who lost his eye in battle and had a glass eye fitted. However, he found it irritating and replaced it with an eye patch.

Archaeologists found an ancient prosthetic eye in 2007 which dated back to 2800 - 2900 BCE! The modern prosthetic eye was developed in the late 16th Century by a French surgeon called Ambroise Paré. Glass eyes are made by heating a tube of glass to form a ball shape. Various colours of glass have been used to imitate eye colours in a realistic way.
By Tristan, Swarthmore Education Centre

Part 1239.001.1

Object Name:
artificial eye
facial*
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, opaque domed surface with the top layer of wax? still present. Black and red visible on surface.

Part 1239.001.2

Object Name:
artificial eye
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, opaque domed surface with white sclera, veins and blue iris.

Part 1239.001.3

Classification:
2917
Object Name:
artificial eye
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, opaque domed surface with the top layer of wax? still present.Blue cross drawn on front
Inscription
SEAN / BARKER / CSS

Part 1239.001.4

Classification:
2917
Object Name:
artificial eye
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye: plain white sclera with blue-green iris with hazel centre. Matte surface with tiny white streaks over iris; appears unfinished.

Part 1239.001.5

Classification:
2917
Object Name:
artificial eye
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye: white sclera with red vein markings and blue-grey iris. Gloss finish.
Inscription
VERY OLD / 1960

Part 1239.001.6

Classification:
2917
Object Name:
artificial eye
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye: white sclera with red vein markings and hazel iris. Gloss finish.

Part 1239.001.7

Classification:
2917
Object Name:
artificial eye
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye, unfinished: white sclera with dark brown iris with clear acrylic protrusion from centre.
Inscription
HAYES / JO'A [?]

Part 1239.001.8

Classification:
2917
Object Name:
artificial eye
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye, large, unfinished. White sclera with indentation for iris revealing some underyling blue colouring; three part-faded black marker lines; wavy blue line or illegible scrawl on upper surface.

Part 1239.001.9

Classification:
2917
Object Name:
artificial eye
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye: white sclera with red vein markings and pale blue iris. Matt surface with tiny white streaks over iris; appears unfinished.

Part 1239.001.10

Classification:
2917
Object Name:
artificial eye
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye, unfinished - shaped white acrylic punctuated with regular holes, with larger hole in centre for iris, marked with two mostly-faded lines in black marker pen.

Part 1239.001.11

Classification:
2917
Object Name:
artificial eye
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye, hazel colour

Part 1239.001.12

Classification:
2917
Object Name:
artificial eye
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye in a plain white colour with blue iris

Part 1239.001.13

Classification:
2917
Object Name:
artificial eye
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye in a plain white colour with a green-hazel iris, in a matte finish

Part 1239.001.14

Classification:
2917
Object Name:
artificial eye
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye in a plain white colour with a green-blue faded iris, in a matte finish

Part 1239.001.15

Classification:
2917
Object Name:
artificial eye
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye in a white colour with painted red veins and a hazel iris, in a gloss finish

Part 1239.001.16

Classification:
2917
Object Name:
artificial eye
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye: off white with a brown iris, a black cross has drawn through the iris
Inscription
Ro
Rose

Part 1239.001.17

Classification:
2917
Object Name:
artificial eye
Location:
In Storage
Description
Ball of material presumably the raw material used to make the ocular prosthesis

Part 1239.001.18

Object Name:
artificial eye
facial*
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, opaque domed surface with the top layer of wax? still present. Black and red visible on surface.
Description
Artificial eye in very early stages of development. Cream coloured in a in a rough ocular shape. No iris or pupil. Red cross faintly visible.

Part 1239.001.19

Object Name:
artificial eye
facial*
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, opaque domed surface with the top layer of wax? still present. Black and red visible on surface.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished in the rough outline of a prosthesis. Small section of the top layer has been removed near the inner corner. Black and red writing on surface.
Inscription
KEITH / [?]Y [?]

Part 1239.001.20

Object Name:
artificial eye
facial*
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, opaque domed surface with the top layer of wax? still present. Black and red visible on surface.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, on the front the top layer has been removed in a circular area. Black cross drawn on the front.
Inscription
IS [black cross] / 2
GERON / LEWIS

Part 1239.001.21

Object Name:
artificial eye
facial*
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, opaque domed surface with the top layer of wax? still present. Black and red visible on surface.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, on the front the top layer has been removed in a circular area.

Part 1239.001.22

Object Name:
artificial eye
facial*
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, opaque domed surface with the top layer of wax? still present. Black and red visible on surface.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, brown iris with black pupil and red veins.

Part 1239.001.23

Object Name:
artificial eye
facial*
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, opaque domed surface with the top layer of wax? still present. Black and red visible on surface.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, plain white with raised nub in centre

Part 1239.001.24

Object Name:
artificial eye
facial*
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, opaque domed surface with the top layer of wax? still present. Black and red visible on surface.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, plain white with faint outline visible under top layer raised nub in centre
Inscription
BAB / BEE / 5.2.77

Part 1239.001.25

Object Name:
artificial eye
facial*
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, opaque domed surface with the top layer of wax? still present. Black and red visible on surface.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis. White background, thin red veins, blue iris and black pupil

Part 1239.001.26

Object Name:
artificial eye
facial*
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, opaque domed surface with the top layer of wax? still present. Black and red visible on surface.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis. White background, portion around the iris has been partially removed with a black area in the centre. A partial black cross runs through the iris area.
Inscription
SERL[LERS] / 12.95

Part 1239.001.27

Object Name:
artificial eye
facial*
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, opaque domed surface with the top layer of wax? still present. Black and red visible on surface.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis. White background, portion of the upper layer around the iris has been partially removed revealing a blue iris with brown around a black pupil

Part 1239.001.28

Object Name:
artificial eye
facial*
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, opaque domed surface with the top layer of wax? still present. Black and red visible on surface.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis. White with faint black line through centre

Part 1239.001.29

Object Name:
artificial eye
facial*
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, opaque domed surface with the top layer of wax? still present. Black and red visible on surface.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis. White with faint black line through centre
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis. yellow background with brown iris, red line through iris

Part 1239.001.30

Object Name:
artificial eye
facial*
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, opaque domed surface with the top layer of wax? still present. Black and red visible on surface.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis. White with faint black line through centre
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis. White sclera with extensive red veins, brown green iris with two holes either side of the iris

Part 1239.001.31

Object Name:
artificial eye
facial*
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, opaque domed surface with the top layer of wax? still present. Black and red visible on surface.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis. White sclera with thin red veins, blue iris

Part 1239.001.32

Object Name:
artificial eye
facial*
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, opaque domed surface with the top layer of wax? still present. Black and red visible on surface.

Part 1239.001.33

Object Name:
artificial eye
facial*
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, opaque domed surface with the top layer of wax? still present. Black and red visible on surface.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, sclera only no iris or pupil. Peak to the centre with a hole.

Part 1239.001.34

Object Name:
artificial eye
facial*
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, opaque domed surface with the top layer of wax? still present. Black and red visible on surface.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, white sclera with top layer still visible on one side. Grey iris. Red line on reverse.

Part 1239.001.35

Classification:
2917
Object Name:
artificial eye
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, white sclera with red veins, blue/grey iris

Part 1239.001.36

Classification:
2917
Object Name:
artificial eye
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, white sclera with12 holes round the edge, some covered at the front. Central hole in the middle.

Part 1239.001.37

Classification:
2917
Object Name:
artificial eye
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, white sclera with12 holes round the edge, some covered at the front. Central hole in the middle.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, tope layer is still present on one side with a small section removed showing the sclera and a blue/grey iris. Two holes either side of the iris.

Part 1239.001.38

Object Name:
artificial eye
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, white sclera with12 holes round the edge, some covered at the front. Central hole in the middle.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, tope layer is still present on one side with a small section removed showing the sclera and a blue/grey iris. Two holes either side of the iris.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, tope layer is still present with a small section removed around the iris. The iris colour is unclear.

Part 1239.001.39

Object Name:
artificial eye
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, white sclera with12 holes round the edge, some covered at the front. Central hole in the middle.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, tope layer is still present on one side with a small section removed showing the sclera and a blue/grey iris. Two holes either side of the iris.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, tope layer is still present with a small section removed around the iris. The iris colour is unclear.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, top layer is still present with a small section removed around where the iris would be. No iris is present. Faint black lines shown.
Inscription
WILL / THOMP / SON / 5.23

Part 1239.001.40

Object Name:
artificial eye
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, white sclera with12 holes round the edge, some covered at the front. Central hole in the middle.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, tope layer is still present on one side with a small section removed showing the sclera and a blue/grey iris. Two holes either side of the iris.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, tope layer is still present with a small section removed around the iris. The iris colour is unclear.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, top layer is still present with a small section removed around where the iris would be. Iris can't be seen. Faint black lines shown.
Inscription
LEVIN

Part 1239.001.41

Object Name:
artificial eye
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, white sclera with12 holes round the edge, some covered at the front. Central hole in the middle.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, tope layer is still present on one side with a small section removed showing the sclera and a blue/grey iris. Two holes either side of the iris.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, tope layer is still present with a small section removed around the iris. The iris colour is unclear.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, opaque domed surface with outline of iris underneath. Small hole over where the pupil is.

Part 1239.001.42

Object Name:
artificial eye
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, white sclera with12 holes round the edge, some covered at the front. Central hole in the middle.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, tope layer is still present on one side with a small section removed showing the sclera and a blue/grey iris. Two holes either side of the iris.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, tope layer is still present with a small section removed around the iris. The iris colour is unclear.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, opaque domed surface with white sclera painted with red veins. Hazel iris and black pupil

Part 1239.001.43

Object Name:
artificial eye
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, white sclera with12 holes round the edge, some covered at the front. Central hole in the middle.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, tope layer is still present on one side with a small section removed showing the sclera and a blue/grey iris. Two holes either side of the iris.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, tope layer is still present with a small section removed around the iris. The iris colour is unclear.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, opaque domed surface with parts of the top lyer of wax? still present. White sclera underneath painted with red veins. Haze/green iris and black pupil

Part 1239.001.44

Object Name:
artificial eye
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, white sclera with12 holes round the edge, some covered at the front. Central hole in the middle.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, tope layer is still present on one side with a small section removed showing the sclera and a blue/grey iris. Two holes either side of the iris.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, tope layer is still present with a small section removed around the iris. The iris colour is unclear.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, opaque domed surface with the top layer of wax? still present. White sclera underneath painted. Hazel iris and black pupil

Part 1239.001.45

Object Name:
artificial eye
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, white sclera with12 holes round the edge, some covered at the front. Central hole in the middle.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, tope layer is still present on one side with a small section removed showing the sclera and a blue/grey iris. Two holes either side of the iris.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, tope layer is still present with a small section removed around the iris. The iris colour is unclear.

Part 1239.001.46

Object Name:
artificial eye
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, white sclera with12 holes round the edge, some covered at the front. Central hole in the middle.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, tope layer is still present on one side with a small section removed showing the sclera and a blue/grey iris. Two holes either side of the iris.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, tope layer is still present with a small section removed around the iris. The iris colour is unclear.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, opaque domed surface with part of the top layer of wax? still present. White sclera underneath painted with red veins. Iris and black pupil present. Two holes either side of iris.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, opaque domed surface with the top layer of wax? still present. Black and red marks visible on surface.
Inscription
JES / GUT

Part 1239.001.47

Object Name:
artificial eye
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, white sclera with12 holes round the edge, some covered at the front. Central hole in the middle.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, tope layer is still present on one side with a small section removed showing the sclera and a blue/grey iris. Two holes either side of the iris.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, tope layer is still present with a small section removed around the iris. The iris colour is unclear.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, opaque domed surface with part of the top layer of wax? still present. White sclera underneath painted with red veins. Iris and black pupil present. Two holes either side of iris.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, opaque domed surface.

Part 1239.001.48

Object Name:
artificial eye
Location:
In Storage
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, white sclera with12 holes round the edge, some covered at the front. Central hole in the middle.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, tope layer is still present on one side with a small section removed showing the sclera and a blue/grey iris. Two holes either side of the iris.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, tope layer is still present with a small section removed around the iris. The iris colour is unclear.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, opaque domed surface with part of the top layer of wax? still present. White sclera underneath painted with red veins. Iris and black pupil present. Two holes either side of iris.
Description
Artificial eye. Unfinished ocular prosthesis, opaque domed surface with the top layer of wax? still present. Black and red marks visible on surface. Iris partially visible
Inscription
MALLORY / 5/7 / 464 eter
2ND pe GOOD