Cataract Knives, Weiss, Circa 1820-30

Two eye surgery cases for cataract surgery, England, early 19th century Ivory, steel, leather, and velvet; each case: 16x12x3.5cm. Complementary set of two particularly luxurious small eye surgery cases signed "Weiss London," used for cataract surgery. This is a work by John Weiss circa 1820, or possibly a work by the Weiss father and son, John and Frederick, circa 1830. The Weiss & Son firm was founded in 1787 by Johann Weiss. Of German birth, Weiss was the heir to a family of cutlers. He settled in London in the 1780s and anglicized his first name to John. He quickly acquired a brilliant reputation in the United Kingdom. His son joined the family business in 1831. John died in 1843. The two boxes contain twelve cataract knives of various sizes and twelve curved lanceolate knives. Apart from one instrument signed by Down, the set is absolutely homogeneous and in perfect condition.