Genoese medicine chest

Made:: 1562-1566 in Italy

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Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Medicine chest, large, leather covered, contains 71 bottles, some with labels, 78 pewter boxes, and 17 other pieces, probably made for Vincenzo Giustiniani, Genoese Governor of between 1562 and 1566

Some of the bottles still appear to have their 16th-century contents, including compounds such as rhubarb powder, juniper water and mustard oil.

Details

Category:: Materia Medica & Pharmacology

Collection:: Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection

Object Number:: A641515

Materials:: wood (unidentified), iron (gilt) and complete

Measurements:: overall: 37.5 kg

type:: medicine chest

credit:: Giustiniani family

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Parts

Box from medicine chest

Empty, square pewter box with lid, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt1

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Square pewter box, containing a fine powder, with lid, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt2

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Square pewter box, containing a white stone, with lid, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt3

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest, with contents

Square pewter box, containing a brown powder, with lid, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt4

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Empty, square pewter box with lid, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt5

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Empty, square, pewter box with lid, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt6

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Empty, square pewter box with lid, labelled 'Pol 63', from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt7

type:: boxes

Box for red coral

Square pewter box, lid labelled with 'coralli rossi 4', translated as red coral, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt8

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Empty, square, pewter box with lid, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt9

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Empty, square, pewter box, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt10

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest, with contents

Square, pewter box with lid, labelled 'Sal di...affichi', likely to be for a type of salt, with contents, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt11

type:: boxes

Box for sulphur

Empty, square, pewter box with lid, labelled 'Sulphur metall: 1', for sulphur, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt12

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Empty, square pewter box with lid, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt13

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Square pewter box, with some contents, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt14

type:: boxes

Box of powder for piles

Square pewter box with lid, with some contents, labelled, 'Polv.per le morici 19' translated as powder for piles, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt15

type:: boxes

Box for powder for piles

Square pewter box with lid, with some contents, labelled, 'Polv.p le morici' translated as powder for piles, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt16

type:: boxes

Box for terra sigillata

Empty, square pewter box with lid, labelled, 'Terra sigillata 17', from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt17

type:: boxes

Box of gold leaf

Square pewter box with lid, containing gold leaf, labelled, 'Oro purgante 16' translated as purgative gold, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt18

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Empty, square pewter box with lid, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt19

type:: boxes

Box for sambucus seeds

Square pewter box with lid, with some contents, labelled 'Estratto di grani di Sambuco 29', translated as extract of sambucus seeds, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt20

type:: boxes

Box for extract for polipody

Square pewter box with lid, with some contents, labelled '..podio 21', likely to be for extract of polipody, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt21

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest, with contents

Square pewter box with lid, with some contents, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt22

type:: boxes

Box for an electuary

Square pewter box with lid, with some contents, labelled 'Elettuario....54', translated as electuary, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt23

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest, with contents

Square pewter box with lid, with some contents, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt24

type:: boxes

Box for electurary for the teeth

Square pewter box with lid, labelled 'Elettuario per i denti 51', translated as electuary for the teeth, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt25

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Square pewter box with lid, with some contents, labelled 'Giacinto 52', translated as hyacinth extract, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt26

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Square pewter box with lid, with contents, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt27

type:: boxes

Pewter box of Teriaca d'Andromaco

Pewter box with sliding lid and central hole for knob (missing), labelled as 'Triaca d'Andromaco 48', translated as of Theriac of Andromachus (aromatic water of theriac, bezoar stone and unicorn horn). 32 mm x 43 mm x 45 mm. Unknown maker, Italian, c. 1560s.

Measurements:: overall: 32 mm x 45 mm x 45 mm, 0.07 kg

Materials:: pewter , complete , opium and paper (fibre product)

Object Number:: A641515 Pt28

type:: box and opium

Box for Armenian earth

Square pewter box with lid, labelled 'Bolo Armeno Orientale 49', translated as Armenian earth, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt29

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Square pewter box with lid, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt30

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Square pewter box with lid, labelled 'Pilloi d'Aloe 46', translated as pills of aloes, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter, q

Object Number:: A641515 Pt31

type:: boxes

Box ffor orvietanum

Empty, square pewter box with lid, labelled 'Orvietano 31', translated as orvietanum, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt32

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Square pewter box with lid, labelled 'Teriac nuoua', translated as new theriac, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt33

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Empty, square pewter box with lid, labelled 'Vnguento gratia Dei 37', translated as ointment, grace of, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt34

type:: boxes

Stomach ointment, from medicine chest

Square pewter box with lid, with contents, labelled 'ceroto da stomacco 39', translated as plaster for the stomach, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt35

type:: boxes

Box for to plaster to prevent miscarriages

Square pewter box with lid, labelled 'Ceroto pro foetus retentione', translated as plaster for retaining the foetus, for preventing miscarriages, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt36

type:: boxes

box for ointment for the spleen

Square pewter box with lid, with contents, labelled 'Vnguento da milza', translated as ointment for the spleen, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt37

type:: boxes

Box for plaster for wounds

Square pewter box with lid, with contents, labelled 'Ceroto da ferite 38', translated as plaster for wounds, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt38

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Square pewter box with lid, with contents, labelled, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt39

type:: boxes

Ointment for piles

Square pewter box with lid, with contents, labelled 'Vngeunto da morici 43', translated as ointment for piles, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt40

type:: boxes

Pewter box of Mithridate

Large pewter box with sliding lid and knob, labelled, 'Mitridato;' containing a dried block of Mithridate. 36 mm x 58 mm x 56 mm. Unknown maker, Italian, c. 1560s.

Measurements:: overall: 34 mm x 56 mm x 60 mm, 0.096 kg

Materials:: pewter , paper (fibre product) , opium and complete

Object Number:: A641515 Pt41

type:: box and opium

Box of old theriac

Square pewter box with lid, with contents, labelled 'Teriac vecchia 42', translated as old theriac, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt42

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Square pewter box with contents, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt43

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Square pewter box with lid, labelled 'Cerottu Speronaglia', a type of plaster, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt44

type:: boxes

Box for powder of camomile

Square pewter box with lid, labelled 'Vngeunto da caroli 47', translated as camomile ointment, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt45

type:: boxes

Box for oinment

Square pewter box with lid, labelled 'Vnguento da gambe 32', ointment for legs, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt46

type:: boxes

Image ©: The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Box from medicine chest

Square pewter box with lid, labelled Estratto di Mechiocam 30', extract of mechiocam, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Measurements:: overall: 27 mm x 43 mm x 46 mm, 0.066 kg

Materials:: pewter , paper (fibre product) and materia medica

Object Number:: A641515 Pt47

type:: boxes

Image ©: The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Box from medicine chest

Square pewter box with lid, labelled 'Estratto di Rabarbarbo', translated as rhubarb extract, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt48

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Square pewter box with solid contents, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt49

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Square pewter box with lid, labelled 'Estratto..', a type of extract, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt50

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Square pewter box with lid, labelled 'Estratto di ligno santo 23', translated as extract of holy wood, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Measurements:: overall: 33 mm x 34 mm x 36 mm, .048 kg

Materials:: pewter , paper (fibre product) and lignum vitae

Object Number:: A641515 Pt51

type:: boxes

Image ©: The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Box from medicine chest

Square pewter box with lid, labelled 'Estratto di Senna', translated as extract of senna, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt52

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Square pewter box with lid, labelled 'Estratto d'Agarico 27', translated as extract of agaric, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt53

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Square pewter box containing a black solid mass, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt54

type:: boxes

Hellebore extract

Square pewter box with lid, labelled 'Estratto di Elleboro 25', translated as extract of hellebore, from Giustiniani medicine chest

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt55

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Box, pewter, of unknown white solid

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt56

type:: boxes

Preparation of hartshorn

Box, pewter, for a preparation of hartshorn

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt57

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Box, pewter, of unknown brown solid

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt58

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Box, pewter, of unknown drug

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt59

type:: boxes

Preparation of hartshorn

Box, pewter, for a preparation of hartshorn

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt60

type:: boxes

Preparation of hartshorn

Box, pewter, empty, for preparation of hartshorn

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt61

type:: boxes

Box for hyacinth preparation

Box, pewter. for hyacinth preparation

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt62

type:: boxes

Five-sided box, from medicine chest

Box, pewter, 5-sided, empty

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt63

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Box, pewter, of unknown brown solid

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt64

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Box, small, pewter, empty

Materials:: pewter (tin, antimony, copper alloy)

Object Number:: A641515 Pt65

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Box, pewter, of unknown ointment

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt66

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Box, pewter, of unidentified brown solid

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt67

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Box, pewter, for unidentified powder

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt68

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Box, pewter, containing unidentified red-brown grease

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt69

type:: boxes

Five-sided box, from medicine chest

Box, pewter, 5 sided, containing unidentified crocus

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt70

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Box, pewter, open top, empty

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt71

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Box, small, pewter, empty

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt72

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Box, small, pewter, of unicorn's horn

Measurements:: overall: 27 mm x 23 mm x 22 mm, 0.02 kg

Materials:: pewter , paper (fibre product) and bone

Object Number:: A641515 Pt73

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Box, small, pewter, empty, once containing a powder against fever

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt74

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Box, small, pewter, empty

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt75

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Box, small, pewter, empty

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt76

type:: boxes

Mortar, from Genoese medicine chest

Mortar, marble

Measurements:: overall: 37 mm x 66 mm, 0.236 kg

Materials:: marble

Object Number:: A641515 Pt77

type:: mortars

Pestle, from Genoese medicine chest

Pestle, agate

Measurements:: overall: 67 mm x 25 mm, 0.076 kg

Materials:: agate

Object Number:: A641515 Pt78

type:: pestle

Ossicles

4 fish ossicles

Object Number:: A641515 Pt79

type:: ossicles

Yellow substance from medicine chest

Stick of unknown clear yellow substance

Object Number:: A641515 Pt80

type:: stick

Brush, from Genoese medicine chest

Small brush, elaborate velvet covered handle

Measurements:: overall: 22 mm x 164 mm x 31 mm, 0.016 kg

Materials:: hair , velvet , brass , wood , textile and cotton (textile)

Object Number:: A641515 Pt81

type:: brush

Section of antler, from Genoese medicine chest

Section of antler

Object Number:: A641515 Pt82

type:: antlers

Wax

2 cylindrical pieces of wax

Materials:: wax

Object Number:: A641515 Pt83

type:: wax

Chalk

2 pieces of chalk

Materials:: chalk

Object Number:: A641515 Pt84

type:: chalk

Fish bones

3 pieces of fishes' spine(?)

Materials:: bone

Object Number:: A641515 Pt85

type:: spine

Petrified wood

Chunk of petrified wood

Materials:: wood, petrified

Object Number:: A641515 Pt86

type:: petrified wood

Box from medicine chest

Box, pewter, empty

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt87

type:: boxes

Box from medicine chest

Box (no lid), pewter, empty

Materials:: pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt88

type:: boxes

Equal-arm balance

Hand-held equal-arm balance, swan neck ends, brass and iron

Materials:: brass , iron , string and cotton (textile)

Object Number:: A641515 Pt89

type:: balances

Nested weights

2 nested weights, brass

Materials:: brass

Object Number:: A641515 Pt90

type:: weights

Box painted with Giustiniani coat-of-arms

Box painted with Giustiniani coat-of-arms

Box painted with Giustiniani arms, with 5 plasters

Measurements:: overall: 30 mm x 218 mm x 94 mm, 0.182 kg

Materials:: wood , paint , gilt and cotton (textile)

Object Number:: A641515 Pt91

type:: boxes

Bottle containing oil

Bottle, triangular, of unknown black oil

Materials:: glass and pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt92

type:: bottles

Bottle containing oil

Bottle of green-brown oil

Materials:: glass and pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt93

type:: bottles

Bottle containing oil

Bottle of red-brown oil

Materials:: glass and pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt94

type:: bottles

Bottle containing oil

Bottle of orange oil

Materials:: glass and pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt95

type:: bottles

Bottle containing crystals

Bottle of platy crystals

Materials:: glass and pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt96

type:: bottles

Bottle, with contents

Bottle, triangular, of yellow solid

Materials:: glass and pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt97

type:: bottles

Bottle, without contents

Bottle, trapezoidal, empty for aromatic water of theriac and bezoar stone

Measurements:: overall: 62 mm x 44 mm x 35 mm, 0.064 kg

Materials:: glass , pewter and paper (fibre product)

Object Number:: A641515 Pt98

type:: bottles

Bottle, with contents

Bottle with dark substances for oil of amber

Materials:: glass and pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt99

type:: bottles

Bottle, with contents

Bottle with orange substance

Materials:: glass and pewter

Object Number:: A641515 Pt100

type:: bottles