Spectacles
Spectacles
Previous
Next
Usage conditions apply
- Description
- This pair of Harlequin-shaped eyeglasses dates from about 1960. The frame is made from 12KT white gold and has a black enamel-like design on the rim and temples. The Ultex bifocal lenses are made each from one piece of ground glass. The nose pads and earpieces are covered in plastic. By the mid-twentieth century, the variety of styles, colors, and materials for eyewear had become limitless.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- spectacles
- eyeglasses
- Other Terms
- spectacles; Vision Aids
- date made
- ca 1955
- ca 1960
- maker
- unknown
- Place Made
- United States
- Physical Description
- glass (overall material)
- gold, white (overall material)
- plastic (overall material)
- black (overall color)
- yellow (overall color)
- Measurements
- extended: 3.6 cm x 14.3 cm x 12.5 cm; 1 7/16 in x 5 5/8 in x 4 15/16 in
- ID Number
- 1984.0140.417
- catalog number
- 1984.0140.417
- accession number
- 1984.0140
- Credit Line
- Gift of Eric P. Muth
- subject
- Eyeglasses
- Ophthalmology
- Education
- See more items in
- Medicine and Science: Medicine
- Health & Medicine
- Clothing & Accessories
- Artifact Walls exhibit
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
Nominate this object for photography.
Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.
If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.
Note: Comment submission is temporarily unavailable while we make improvements to the site. We apologize for the interruption. If you have a question relating to the museum's collections, please first check our Collections FAQ. If you require a personal response, please use our Contact page.
