Vintage mid century set of 5 apothecary chemist bottles with original lids

Vintage mid century set of 5 apothecary chemist bottles with original lids. A nice set of 5 very decorative bottles with some minor age related wear.

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14 cm tall

7 cm round at base

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Apothecary bottle history spans from Roman times, when glass was used for fragrant oils, to the Middle Ages when ceramic jars were used for herbs and syrups. In the 16th century, the role of the apothecary shifted to dispensing medicine, leading to the development of decorative glass bottles to store and display valuable ingredients and finished preparations. Over time, designs evolved, featuring Latin inscriptions, decorative motifs, and colored glass, with the iconic show globes becoming a common sight in pharmacies until the mid-20th century.

Early history

Roman times: The Romans used small glass bottles called unguentaria to hold fragrant oils for medicines and perfumes.

Medieval times: Apothecaries initially sold a variety of luxury goods, including herbs and spices. Ceramic jars, originating in the Islamic world, were widely used in Europe to store and display medicinal ingredients.

Evolution of apothecary bottles

16th to 18th centuries: The role of the apothecary became more specialized in medicine, and bottles began to serve as both storage and a means of display.

Glassmaking advancements: Glass became more popular as a storage material than ceramic because it was less reactive.

Decorative elements: To make the bottles more appealing, they were decorated with Latin inscriptions, often in a cartouche, to label their contents.

Colored glass: Colored glass, particularly blue and amber, became popular to protect contents from light, though some colors, like red, were used for their chemical properties.

Show globes: The tradition of placing large carboys (flagon-like containers) in the window to display colored liquids—used by the apothecary to prepare tinctures and extracts—became popular. These "show globes" served as a decorative trademark for the pharmacy.

Later developments

Late 19th century: Apothecary containers became more functional, and by the early 20th century, the use of show globes in American pharmacies declined significantly.

Modern times: Despite their decline in professional use, antique apothecary bottles are now highly sought after by collectors for their historical and aesthetic value.

A brief history of Apothecary bottles - Retrovation

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Apothecary glass - Glass Encyclopedia

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