The Oliver Goldsmith glasses collection
The Oliver Goldsmith glasses collection
From war-time utility frames to bold style statements, explore six decades of glasses design by Oliver Goldsmith
Glasses
From hand-crafted tortoiseshell spectacles to NHS plastic frames and 1980s designer sunglasses, this collection charts the dramatic evolution of glasses from medical necessity to fashion item.
Charting the development of modern eyewear, the collection includes over 70 frames designed and produced over a 60-year period by the British firm Oliver Goldsmith, in a variety of styles, materials and colours. Other highlights include a mother-of-pearl glasses case which may have belonged to King James II and a pair of flamboyant specs worn by TV persona Dame Edna Everage.
Collection highlights
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Glasses, by Oliver Goldsmith Eyewear, 1930s, UK -
(Detail) Jester, sunglasses, manufactured by Oliver Goldsmith Eyewear, 1954, UK -
Monocle, about 1900 – 30, Britain -
Glasses, designed by Cutler and Gross, 1979, UK -
(Detail) Shah, sunglasses, manufactured by Oliver Goldsmith Eyewear, 1972, UK -
Spectacles worn by Barry Humphries as Dame Edna Everage, designed by Stephen Adnitt, made by Anglo-American Optical, 1997, London, England -
Koko, sunglasses, manufactured by Oliver Goldsmith Eyewear, 1960s, UK -
Tennis Rackets, sunglasses, manufactured by Oliver Goldsmith Eyewear, 1956, UK -
Lorngette, 19th century, Britain -
Opera glasses, 19th century, Europe -
Spectacle case linked to James II and spectacles, France -
Child's spectacle frames, commissioned by National Health Service, 1960 – 69, UK -
Fuz, sunglasses, manufactured by Oliver Goldsmith Eyewear, about 1964, UK -
Wayfarer sunglasses and case, designed by Ray-Ban, manufactured by Bausch & Lomb, 1990, US -
Bamboo, sunglasses, manufactured by Oliver Goldsmith Eyewear, 1962, UK -
The Martian, sunglasses, manufactured by Oliver Goldsmith Eyewear, 1950s, UK
Features
Header image:
Glasses, Cutler and Gross, 1979, UK. Museum no. T.32-1995. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London