Antique Chemist’s Glass Bottle – Mottershead & Co., Manchester – Original Bermuda Arrowroot c.1895–1915
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A rare and highly collectible antique apothecary bottle from the esteemed Manchester pharmaceutical firm Mottershead & Co., dating from the late Victorian to early Edwardian era (circa 1895–1915). This fine example retains its original contents – finely milled Bermuda Arrowroot powder – and is complete with its original ground glass stopper and beautifully aged paper label.
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The label reads:
Bermuda Arrowroot – Mottershead & Co., 7 Exchange Street, Manchester – A.E.H. Blackburn, Pharmaceutical Chemist.
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Historical Significance
Mottershead & Co., established in 1790, was one of Manchester’s most respected chemist and druggist businesses. From their central premises at 7 Exchange Street, they supplied both prescription medicines and proprietary remedies to discerning customers. Under the proprietorship of A.E.H. Blackburn in the late 19th and early 20th century, they were known for meticulous quality control and elegant packaging – making their surviving products highly sought after by collectors today.
About Bermuda Arrowroot
Bermuda Arrowroot was a premium medicinal starch derived from the Maranta arundinacea plant, imported from Bermuda. In the Victorian and Edwardian eras, it was prized for its digestibility, often recommended for invalids, children, and those recovering from illness. Chemists sold it as a fine powder to be mixed into gruels, puddings, and beverages, both as nourishment and to soothe the digestive tract.
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Bottle Details
Material: Aqua-tinted glass, typical of bottles made before the 1920s due to natural iron impurities in the sand.
Form: Square body with gently bevelled edges, flat base, and a precisely fitting ground glass stopper.
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Dimensions: 14cm x 5cm x 5cm
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Condition: Excellent antique condition with only light wear to high points of glass and minor label foxing consistent with age. Stopper and bottle are original to each other, with no chips or cracks.
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Contents: Original Bermuda Arrowroot powder remains sealed inside – a rare survival.
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Why Collectors Love It
Complete examples of antique chemist bottles with original labels and contents are increasingly scarce. The survival of the fragile paper label, clearly legible with the Mottershead & Co. name and address, adds provenance and historical value. The combination of medical history, original condition, and connection to a known Manchester pharmacy makes this piece highly desirable to collectors of:
Antique medical and apothecary equipment
Victorian and Edwardian chemist shop display items
Glass bottle and pharmaceutical packaging history
Manchester historical memorabilia
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Suggested Display & Use
Perfect for a pharmacy museum, vintage medical display, or as a conversation-starting decorative item in the home. Its clean geometric form also complements industrial, Edwardian, or apothecary-style interiors.
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Keywords: antique chemist bottle, apothecary jar, Victorian pharmacy bottle, Mottershead & Co Manchester, antique Bermuda Arrowroot, vintage glass medicine jar, antique pharmaceutical packaging, Edwardian chemist shop display, Manchester history collectibles.
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Given its exceptional completeness, well-documented provenance, and excellent state of preservation, this example sits at the higher end of the market for antique apothecary bottles.
