Victorian Apothecary's Box & Bottles

A portable and lockable Apothecary's box with coloured bottles offered for sale as a decorative and interesting historical object.

The box appears to be mahogany and has a red lining. The label to the underside of the lid reads: James Garner, Dispensing and Family Chemist, 166 Kensington High Street, W8.

Research has not provided me with any information regarding James Garner or his business. However, with the expansion of modern London, the area has been very much changed and developed since the 19th Century. A large modern building now appears to stand at number 166.

The front of the box is detachable. The key seems not to be the original but has operated the lock with some jiggery pokery. The box will be shipped to it new owner unlocked. 

The coloured (blue, green and brown) and ribbed bottles appear contemporary with the box which has been made to accommodate their hexagonal shape. The smaller bottles are a loose fit. It is not known whether the bottles are original to the box. 

The words "Not to be taken" are moulded into some of the bottles. There is one labelled bottle written in German "Schwefelsaure" which translates as Sulphuric Acid.

The box measures approx. 12" x 6" x 6" (305 mm x 152 mm x 150 mm)