Paul Hardy Antiques

Description

This is a superb travelling/travellers medicine chest. Commonly called apothecary boxes, this as in fact the chest a doctor or pharmacist (apothecary) would have supplied to a traveller embarking on a journey to some (then) exotic country. It contains pain control medicines as well as simpler medicine for tummy upsets, and quinine for protection against mosquito borne malaria.

It comes complete with every glass jar and item that would have been in it originally: every bottle, the scales, the 'portion of a dram' (a seduo) weights, the dispensing bottles. It is as complete an example as you will find.
Every bottle is labelled for the pharmacy Brays Hays of High St, Stockton, and the little dispensing bottles in the bottom of the drawer remain sealed and unopened.
It measures about 24cms tall, x 20 wide and just over 15 deep. It dates from the late 19thC, sometimeafter the Great Exhibition, or possibly the very early 20thC.
The double doors open to reveal the 'shelves' with their medicines in decanters, each with its stopper, label and contents. on the extending upper base ‘tray’ is stamped the makers name "Thomson London".
There is a single drawer with its brass 'campaign' handle, as on the top too. This pulls out to reveal the tray holding the medical scales, and so on (see images) which lifts out to reveal the mortar and other various accessories for dispensing the medicines when mixed and selected by the doctor, surgeon, or possibly field pharmacist (apothecary).
The condition is superb. There is a modest, barely visible ridge on the front (right) door. It has a working lock and comes with one key.
I recommend this highly collectable piece, without reservation.

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