Glasses

Online only

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.

See less

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.

Where to find this collection

Online only
Search the Collections

Photo of Glasses, Oliver Goldsmith Eyewear, about 1930s, UK. Museum no. T.242A-1990. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London — Glasses, Oliver Goldsmith Eyewear, about 1930s, UK. Museum no. T.242A-1990. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Photo of Jester, sunglasses (detail), Oliver Goldsmith, 1954, England. Museum no. T.243C-1990. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London — Jester, sunglasses (detail), Oliver Goldsmith, 1954, England. Museum no. T.243C-1990. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Photo of Monocle, maker unknown, 1900 – 1930, UK. Museum no. T.345-1982. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London — Monocle, maker unknown, 1900 – 1930, UK. Museum no. T.345-1982. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Photo of Glasses, Cutler and Gross, 1979, UK. Museum no. T.32-1995. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London — Glasses, Cutler and Gross, 1979, UK. Museum no. T.32-1995. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Photo of Shah, sunglasses (detail), Oliver Goldsmith, 1972, England. Museum no. T.244T-1990. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London — Shah, sunglasses (detail), Oliver Goldsmith, 1972, England. Museum no. T.244T-1990. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Photo of Spectacles worn by Barry Humphries as Dame Edna Everage, designed by Stephen Adnitt, made by Anglo-American Optical, 1997, UK. Museum no. S.155-2017. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London — Spectacles worn by Barry Humphries as Dame Edna Everage, designed by Stephen Adnitt, made by Anglo-American Optical, 1997, UK. Museum no. S.155-2017. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Photo of Koko, sunglasses, Oliver Goldsmith Eyewear, 1960 – 69, UK. Museum no. T.244C-1990. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London — Koko, sunglasses, Oliver Goldsmith Eyewear, 1960 – 69, UK. Museum no. T.244C-1990. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Photo of Tennis Rackets, sunglasses, Oliver Goldsmith Eyewear, 1956, UK. Museum no. T.243E-1990. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London — Tennis Rackets, sunglasses, Oliver Goldsmith Eyewear, 1956, UK. Museum no. T.243E-1990. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Photo of Lorngette, unknown maker, 19th century, UK. Museum no. T.333:1, 2-1996. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London — Lorngette, unknown maker, 19th century, UK. Museum no. T.333:1, 2-1996. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Photo of Opera glasses, 19th century. Museum no. S.320-1981. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London — Opera glasses, 19th century. Museum no. S.320-1981. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Photo of Spectacle case linked to James II and spectacles, unknown maker, probably France. Museum no. W.5 to B-1970. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London — Spectacle case linked to James II and spectacles, unknown maker, probably France. Museum no. W.5 to B-1970. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Photo of Child's spectacle frames, National Health Service, 1960 – 69, UK. Museum no. B.306-1996. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London — Child's spectacle frames, National Health Service, 1960 – 69, UK. Museum no. B.306-1996. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Photo of Fuz sunglasses, Oliver Goldsmith Eyewear, 1964, UK. Museum no. T.244D-1990. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London — Fuz sunglasses, Oliver Goldsmith Eyewear, 1964, UK. Museum no. T.244D-1990. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Photo of Wayfarer sunglasses and case, designed by Ray-Ban, manufactured by Bausch & Lomb, 1990, US. Museum no. T.219&A-1990. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London — Wayfarer sunglasses and case, designed by Ray-Ban, manufactured by Bausch & Lomb, 1990, US. Museum no. T.219&A-1990. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Photo of Bamboo, sunglasses, Oliver Goldsmith Eyewear, 1962, UK. Museum no. T.243A-1990. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London — Bamboo, sunglasses, Oliver Goldsmith Eyewear, 1962, UK. Museum no. T.243A-1990. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Photo of The Martian, sunglasses, Oliver Goldsmith Eyewear, 1950 – 59, UK. Museum no. T.243F-1990. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London — The Martian, sunglasses, Oliver Goldsmith Eyewear, 1950 – 59, UK. Museum no. T.243F-1990. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Glasses

Exploring Glasses

Learn more about Glasses

The Oliver Goldsmith glasses collection

Shop