Spectacles with a false nose attached, England, 1890-1925

False nose spectacles, steel frames with plain lenses, made for Charles Williams (c. 1875 to c. 1925) of Tonbridge, Kent, c. 1900

Charles Williams (c. 1875 – c. 1925) of Tonbridge, Kent, damaged his nose in an accident. The simplest way to maintain his appearance was to wear a special artificial nose. It was made of metal and painted a flesh colour. The easiest way for Williams to wear the nose was to attach it to this pair of spectacles. The nostril holes are small so Williams may have had difficulty breathing. His family donated the spectacles to the Science Museum in 1985.