Description
Box containing hundred artificial eyes by F. AD. Müller Söhne, made after 1909. The company Müller Söhne has been active on the market for artificial eyes since 1860 to present day. The company states that it combines art and craft in their glass eyes ever since. The eyes cannot be exactly dated, but on the inside of the box is indicated that Müller Sohne won the ‘Staatseherenpreis’ of 1909, the ‘Grand Prix Brussel of 1910’ and the ‘St Louis Goldene medaille’ of 1904, therefore we date these eyes after 1910.
The glass prosthetic eyes have different colours and proportions in order to fit in colour and seize. The website of Müller Söhne states that a high-quality eye prosthesis should be perfectly adapted to the healthy eye in terms of the color of the iris and sclera (white of the eye).
A common reason for wearing a prosthesis is a tumor or serious eye disease that requires removal of the eye. Only a few years ago, it was mainly work-related accidents, such as injuries caused by metal chips or chemical burns caused by quicklime, for example, that led to the loss of a valuable sense organ. The loss of an eye not only limits the field of vision, but also often leads to problems in the social environment.
The box and eyes are in good condition: on the outside are no severe damages. The velours on the inside is in excellent condition and the logo’s ‘F. AD. Müller Söhne AtelieFür künstliche Augen’ are perfectly readable.
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Van Leest Antiques
Van Leest Antiques
Van Leest Antiques, based in Utrecht in the Netherlands, specialises in antique scientific and medical instruments. Their collection covers mainly scientific and medical antique instruments: barometers, globes and planataria, nautical instruments, anatomical models, and pharmacy items. Toon Van Leest travels regularly in Europe and visits trade fairs, auctions, and antique dealers to collect stock and to find pieces to fulfil his clients' unusual requests.
As well as being an avid antique collector and dealer, Toon Van Leest is also a dentist. He believes that antiques are a stable investment, not reliant on trends or fashion, and have truly lasting value. Above all, he says, antiques are timeless and never lose their beauty.