ANTIQUE PALIMPSEST APOTHECARY JAR
OPIUM & NEROLI OIL (c. 1890s–1910s)
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PRICE: £55
A deeply complex and compelling Late Victorian to Edwardian transparent glass apothecary bottle, standing at 17.0cm tall with a 7.0cm diameter. This unique specimen is a true pharmaceutical palimpseste, documenting decades of changing utility and multi-layered historical narrative within a single vessel. The cylindrical body features a pronounced domed base and is complete with its original, heavy clear glass ground stopper with a thick, square-topped head, remaining perfectly functional and sealed by time. The bottle bears the physical scars of three distinct historical labels. On its primary face, it retains fragments of an elite, Late Victorian 'Label Under Glass' (LUG) cartouche. Although mostly lost to time, the vivid red and black border lines remain visible alongside the haunting black serif typography: "TR: OPI...", denoting Tinctura Opii—the infamous and highly controlled Victorian Teinture of Opium, or Laudanum. In a fascinating turn of Edwardian reuse, the opposite side of the jar features a large, beautifully aged beige paper label (approx. 11cm x 4cm). The bold black print reads: "OL. NEROLI SUPER. EXTRA.", indicating that the jar was repurposed to store a premium, highly valuable formulation of Neroli (Orange Blossom) essential oil. This label is anchored to the prestigious wholesale London firm: "Hearon, Squire & Francis Ltd, 38, Southwark Street, London, S.E.", and proudly features their registered trade mark—a finely detailed circular emblem depicting a heron. To the right, secondary monitoring circles detail "NETT WEIGHT" and "PACKAGE" parameters. Positioned directly beneath this is a third, severely distressed beige paper label (approx. 7cm x 5cm) framed by a dark brown geometric border, adding an incredible, raw antique texture. Of ultimate intrigue for advanced curiosity galleries, the vessel is not entirely empty. Trapped deep within the glass matrix is a minute quantity of the genuine, original organic fluid compound, covering the outer perimeter of the domed base—a living chemical ghost from over a century ago. Condition: The clear antique glass body and its heavy square stopper are in flawless, magnificent structural condition with no chips or cracks. The labels are offered with heavy, authentic distressed character: the LUG label is mostly fractured/lost, and the lower paper label shows severe period wear, while the central Heron trade mark and Neroli inscriptions remain clearly legible. A textbook narrative artifact offering immense atmosphere for an elite cabinet of curiosities or a specialized Scientifica display. Dimensions:
Please note: This historical artifact is sold strictly as a decorative and collectable object for display. It contains ancient chemical residues and is not intended for any modern cosmetic, medical, or practical use. Shipping Information:
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