Golden crocodile - Pharmacy corkscrew in cast iron - XIXth century

€170.00

Golden crocodile - Pharmacy corkscrew in cast iron

XIXth century

Description

Antique pharmacy corkscrew in the shape of a crocodile.

Cast iron that has been painted in gold.

From the 19th century or early 20th century.

The corkscrew allowed the pharmacist to compress and soften the corks before inserting them in the bottles containing the remedy.

The corkscrew was often fixed in the apothecary's or pharmacist's shop by screwing it to the counter.

Here what is uncommon is that it is in the form of a salamander but one finds it very often in the form of a crocodile, another name of the corkscrew.

Length: 29cm

It weighs 3.1Kg !

Before these objects appear, the apothecary or the pharmacist chewed himself the corks to insert them in the bottles... From where the term chewing-cork...

16 other products in the APOTHECARY - ANTIQUE PHARMACY
Antique bezoar - Antipoison...
Quick view

Antique bezoar - Antipoison - Antidote

Antique bezoar - Antipoison - Antidote

Once sold by the apothecary, bezoar, also known as gallstone, was reputed to have the same anti-poison properties as the legendary unicorn's horn, hence its excessively high price, also due to its great rarity.

An important piece in a cabinet of curiosities

Sold alone - Without stand, sold separately

Price €350.00