Italian Triptych Medicine Chest with Contents, 17th century

Made:
1601-1700 in Italy
maker:
Unknown
Italian Triptych Medicine Chest with Contents, 17th century Italian Triptych Medicine Chest with Contents, 17th century Italian Triptych Medicine Chest with Contents, 17th century Italian Triptych Medicine Chest with Contents, 17th century Italian Triptych Medicine Chest with Contents, 17th century
Italian Triptych Medicine Chest with Contents, 17th century Italian Triptych Medicine Chest with Contents, 17th century Italian Triptych Medicine Chest with Contents, 17th century Italian Triptych Medicine Chest with Contents, 17th century Italian Triptych Medicine Chest with Contents, 17th century

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

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

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

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

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

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

Square triptych medicine chest decorated with a chequerboard pattern of alternating ivory and lacquered wood panels embellished with small gilt floral motifs. The chest opens into three sections, with two swing fronts folding outwards, each containing four compartments above a drawer. The central section contains seven compartments above three drawers. The compartments are lined in red silk, and the front compartments have arched windows; four of the drawers are lined with marbled paper. Containing twelve glass medicine bottles fitted with pewter collars and screw caps, and four cylindrical pewter medicine containers with screw caps. Italian, 1601-1700.

Ointments and powders to relieve everyday ailments were contained in this Italian medicine chest. It dates from the 1600s. The ingenious design features hidden drawers. These are revealed when the shelves, housed in the doors of the chest, open up. This example is complete with four screw top pewter vials and eight glass bottles, three of them large. The lockable box is silk lined. It is covered in a geometric mosaic of tiny tiles. Medicine chests were usually found in apothecary shops and pharmacies. Others were made for wealthy families and kept as household medicine chests.

Details

Category:
Materia Medica & Pharmacology
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A642920
Materials:
wood, ivory, steel, silk, glass, pewter (tin, antimony, copper alloy) and paper (fibre product)
Measurements:
overall: 210 mm x 195 mm x 195 mm,
type:
medicine chest, materia medica and

Parts

Triptych medicine chest with a bowed, hinged lid and a steel carrying handle to the top; fitted with ornate steel hinges, lock plates and mounts. The exterior is decorated with a chequerboard pattern of alternating ivory and lacquered wood panels embellished with small gilt floral motifs. The chest opens into three sections, with two swing fronts folding outwards, each containing four compartments above a drawer. The central section contains seven compartments above three drawers. The compartments are lined in red silk, and the front compartments have arched windows, while some drawers retain their original marbled paper lining. Italian, 1601-1700.

Italian triptych medicine chest, 17th century

Triptych medicine chest with a bowed, hinged lid and a steel carrying handle to the top; fitted with ornate steel hinges, lock plates and mounts. The exterior is decorated with a chequerboard pattern of alternating ivory and lacquered wood panels embellished with small gilt floral motifs. The chest opens into three sections, with two swing fronts folding outwards, each containing four compartments above a drawer. The central section contains seven compartments above three drawers. The compartments are lined in red silk, and the front compartments have arched windows, while some drawers retain their original marbled paper lining. Italian, 1601-1700.

Measurements:
overall: 210 mm x 195 mm x 195 mm,
Materials:
wood , ivory , steel and silk
Object Number:
A642920/1
type:
medicine chest
Clear square-section glass medicine bottle with rounded shoulders and a short neck, fitted with a pewter collar and screw cap. Empty. From a triptych medicine chest with ivory and lacquered wood decoration. Italian, 1601-1700.

Italian square glass medicine bottle, 17th century

Clear square-section glass medicine bottle with rounded shoulders and a short neck, fitted with a pewter collar and screw cap. Empty. From a triptych medicine chest with ivory and lacquered wood decoration. Italian, 1601-1700.

Measurements:
overall: 87 mm x 30 mm x 30 mm,
Materials:
glass and pewter (tin, antimony, copper alloy)
Object Number:
A642920/2
type:
materia medica and medicine bottle
Clear square-section glass medicine bottle with rounded shoulders and a short neck, fitted with a pewter collar and screw cap. Empty. From a triptych medicine chest with ivory and lacquered wood decoration. Italian, 1601-1700.

Italian square glass medicine bottle, 17th century

Clear square-section glass medicine bottle with rounded shoulders and a short neck, fitted with a pewter collar and screw cap. Empty. From a triptych medicine chest with ivory and lacquered wood decoration. Italian, 1601-1700.

Measurements:
overall: 87 mm x 30 mm x 30 mm,
Materials:
glass and pewter (tin, antimony, copper alloy)
Object Number:
A642920/3
type:
materia medica and medicine bottle
Clear square-section glass medicine bottle with rounded shoulders and a short neck, fitted with a pewter collar and screw cap. Containing traces of white residue. From a triptych medicine chest with ivory and lacquered wood decoration. Italian, 1601-1700.

Italian square glass medicine bottle with white residue, 17th century

Clear square-section glass medicine bottle with rounded shoulders and a short neck, fitted with a pewter collar and screw cap. Containing traces of white residue. From a triptych medicine chest with ivory and lacquered wood decoration. Italian, 1601-1700.

Measurements:
overall: 87 mm x 30 mm x 30 mm,
Materials:
glass and pewter (tin, antimony, copper alloy)
Object Number:
A642920/4
type:
materia medica and medicine bottle
Clear square-section glass medicine bottle with rounded shoulders and a short neck, fitted with a pewter collar and screw cap. Containing traces of grey powder residue. From a triptych medicine chest with ivory and lacquered wood decoration. Italian, 1601-1700.

Italian square glass medicine bottle with grey residue, 17th century

Clear square-section glass medicine bottle with rounded shoulders and a short neck, fitted with a pewter collar and screw cap. Containing traces of grey powder residue. From a triptych medicine chest with ivory and lacquered wood decoration. Italian, 1601-1700.

Measurements:
overall: 87 mm x 30 mm x 30 mm,
Materials:
glass and pewter (tin, antimony, copper alloy)
Object Number:
A642920/5
type:
materia medica and medicine bottle
Clear square-section glass medicine bottle with rounded shoulders and a short neck, fitted with a pewter collar and screw cap. Containing traces of grey powder residue. From a triptych medicine chest with ivory and lacquered wood decoration. Italian, 1601-1700.

Italian square glass medicine bottle with grey residue, 17th century

Clear square-section glass medicine bottle with rounded shoulders and a short neck, fitted with a pewter collar and screw cap. Containing traces of grey powder residue. From a triptych medicine chest with ivory and lacquered wood decoration. Italian, 1601-1700.

Measurements:
overall: 87 mm x 30 mm x 30 mm,
Materials:
glass and pewter (tin, antimony, copper alloy)
Object Number:
A642920/6
type:
materia medica and medicine bottle
Clear square-section glass medicine bottle with rounded shoulders and a short neck, fitted with a pewter collar and screw cap. Containing traces of amber residue adhering to the lower internal walls and base. From a triptych medicine chest with ivory and lacquered wood decoration. Italian, 1601-1700.

Italian square glass medicine bottle with amber residue, 17th century

Clear square-section glass medicine bottle with rounded shoulders and a short neck, fitted with a pewter collar and screw cap. Containing traces of amber residue adhering to the lower internal walls and base. From a triptych medicine chest with ivory and lacquered wood decoration. Italian, 1601-1700.

Measurements:
overall: 87 mm x 30 mm x 30 mm,
Materials:
glass and pewter (tin, antimony, copper alloy)
Object Number:
A642920/7
type:
materia medica and medicine bottle
Clear square-section glass medicine bottle with rounded shoulders and a short neck, fitted with a pewter collar and screw cap. Containing a small unidentified dark grey fragment. From a triptych medicine chest with ivory and lacquered wood decoration. Italian, 1601-1700.

Italian square glass medicine bottle with grey fragment, 17th century

Clear square-section glass medicine bottle with rounded shoulders and a short neck, fitted with a pewter collar and screw cap. Containing a small unidentified dark grey fragment. From a triptych medicine chest with ivory and lacquered wood decoration. Italian, 1601-1700.

Measurements:
overall: 87 mm x 30 mm x 30 mm,
Materials:
glass and pewter (tin, antimony, copper alloy)
Object Number:
A642920/8
type:
materia medica and medicine bottle
Clear square-section glass medicine bottle with rounded shoulders and a short neck, fitted with a pewter collar and screw cap. Containing a light yellow residue at the base. From a triptych medicine chest with ivory and lacquered wood decoration. Italian, 1601-1700.

Italian square glass medicine bottle with yellow residue, 17th century

Clear square-section glass medicine bottle with rounded shoulders and a short neck, fitted with a pewter collar and screw cap. Containing a light yellow residue at the base. From a triptych medicine chest with ivory and lacquered wood decoration. Italian, 1601-1700.

Measurements:
overall: 87 mm x 30 mm x 30 mm,
Materials:
glass and pewter (tin, antimony, copper alloy)
Object Number:
A642920/9
type:
materia medica and medicine bottle
Cylindrical pewter medicine container with a screw cap, and a slightly flared rim. Empty. From a triptych medicine chest with ivory and lacquered wood decoration. Italian, 1601-1700.

Italian pewter medicine container with screw cap, 17th century

Cylindrical pewter medicine container with a screw cap, and a slightly flared rim. Empty. From a triptych medicine chest with ivory and lacquered wood decoration. Italian, 1601-1700.

Measurements:
overall: 67 mm 33 mm,
Materials:
pewter (tin, antimony, copper alloy)
Object Number:
A642920/10
type:
materia medica and
Cylindrical pewter medicine container with a screw cap, and a slightly flared rim. Empty. From a triptych medicine chest with ivory and lacquered wood decoration. Italian, 1601-1700.

Italian pewter medicine container with screw cap, 17th century

Cylindrical pewter medicine container with a screw cap, and a slightly flared rim. Empty. From a triptych medicine chest with ivory and lacquered wood decoration. Italian, 1601-1700.

Measurements:
overall: 67 mm 33 mm,
Materials:
pewter (tin, antimony, copper alloy)
Object Number:
A642920/11
type:
materia medica and
Cylindrical pewter medicine container with a screw cap, and a slightly flared rim. Empty. From a triptych medicine chest with ivory and lacquered wood decoration. Italian, 1601-1700.

Italian pewter medicine container with screw cap, 17th century

Cylindrical pewter medicine container with a screw cap, and a slightly flared rim. Empty. From a triptych medicine chest with ivory and lacquered wood decoration. Italian, 1601-1700.

Measurements:
overall: 67 mm 33 mm,
Materials:
pewter (tin, antimony, copper alloy)
Object Number:
A642920/12
type:
materia medica and
Cylindrical pewter medicine container with a screw cap, and a slightly flared rim. Empty. From a triptych medicine chest with ivory and lacquered wood decoration. Italian, 1601-1700.

Italian pewter medicine container with screw cap, 17th century

Cylindrical pewter medicine container with a screw cap, and a slightly flared rim. Empty. From a triptych medicine chest with ivory and lacquered wood decoration. Italian, 1601-1700.

Measurements:
overall: 67 mm 33 mm,
Materials:
pewter (tin, antimony, copper alloy)
Object Number:
A642920/13
type:
materia medica and
Clear square-section glass medicine bottle with rounded shoulders and a short neck, fitted with a pewter collar and screw cap. Empty. From a triptych medicine chest with ivory and lacquered wood decoration. Italian, 1601-1700.

Italian square glass medicine bottle, 17th century

Clear square-section glass medicine bottle with rounded shoulders and a short neck, fitted with a pewter collar and screw cap. Empty. From a triptych medicine chest with ivory and lacquered wood decoration. Italian, 1601-1700.

Measurements:
overall: 100 mm x 40 mm x 40 mm,
Materials:
glass and pewter (tin, antimony, copper alloy)
Object Number:
A642920/14
type:
materia medica and medicine bottle
Clear square-section glass medicine bottle with rounded shoulders and a short neck, fitted with a pewter collar and screw cap. Containing traces of white residue. From a triptych medicine chest with ivory and lacquered wood decoration. Italian, 1601-1700.

Italian square glass medicine bottle with white residue, 17th century

Clear square-section glass medicine bottle with rounded shoulders and a short neck, fitted with a pewter collar and screw cap. Containing traces of white residue. From a triptych medicine chest with ivory and lacquered wood decoration. Italian, 1601-1700.

Measurements:
overall: 100 mm x 40 mm x 40 mm,
Materials:
glass and pewter (tin, antimony, copper alloy)
Object Number:
A642920/15
type:
materia medica and medicine bottle
Clear square-section glass medicine bottle with rounded shoulders and a short neck, fitted with a pewter collar and screw cap. Empty. From a triptych medicine chest with ivory and lacquered wood decoration. Italian, 1601-1700.

Italian square glass medicine bottle, 17th century

Clear square-section glass medicine bottle with rounded shoulders and a short neck, fitted with a pewter collar and screw cap. Empty. From a triptych medicine chest with ivory and lacquered wood decoration. Italian, 1601-1700.

Measurements:
overall: 100 mm x 40 mm x 40 mm,
Materials:
glass and pewter (tin, antimony, copper alloy)
Object Number:
A642920/16
type:
materia medica and medicine bottle

Related Objects

Clear glass specimen bottle, small with cork stopper, filled with small black seeds, handwritten label within bottle reads 'thyrsiflora'

Clear glass specimen bottle

'Bonicot' outfit

Section of bamboo

Unguentarium

Glass phial

Unguentarium