A superb example of an early 19th Century mahogany apothecary cabinet, complete with most of its original contents. The box itself is made from mahogany with a recessed campaign style brass handle and brass escutcheons.
The doors open to reveal an arrangement of 12 glass bottles recessed inside the doors and a further 4 large bottles in the centre section. Below these bottles are 2 drawers. The first is fitted with a small set of scales, weights, tweezers, a glass syringe and two small glass bottles. The deeper drawer contains 3 small glass bottles, two metal lined pots, two measuring beakers and a shallow ceramic pouring cup - truly everything a travelling doctor would have needed in the 19th century!
There is an extra hidden compartment at the rear of the box which has a sliding cover. This contains 4 additional glass bottles which would have most likely contained the poisons or dangerous substances.
Overall the condition of the box and contents are superb and believed to be as it was left the last day it was used. Some of the smaller bottles are probably not original as they would have fitted exactly in the sections but for display purposes it looks superb. Some bottles are missing their stoppers and there are various small chips around the tops and signs of age and use but nothing detrimental and many still have their original paper labels.
The mahogany box is strong and sturdy with a beautiful aged patina and is excellent quality with ebony borders around the doors and a velvet lined interior. There are general minor signs of age and use but no major damages. It has been sympathetically re-polished and revived and the brass parts polished. It also comes with its original working key. Inside it is generally clean and tidy with its original linings and the partitions are sturdy and in good condition.
