A Victorian apothecary hand blown antique chemist shop glass carboy

A large beautiful hand blown Victorian chemist shop / apothecary advertising carboy.

Of traditional bulbous pear form, and found with original stopper. 

The carboy was used as an advertising display, mostly placed in a apothecary / chemist shop window. They were filled with a colourful liquid, and traditionally they followed the concept of four humours of the body. 

The four humours are blood, yellow bile, black bile and phlegm. These gave the colours red, yellow, purple and blue. 

The colourful liquids were eye catching and linked into the idea that the pharmacist was educated in the ancient medical practice of Humorism. This gave a reassurance to the customer. 

Measuring 37cm high from base to top of stopper. 

The stopper is removable so there is the option to change the colour of liquid.

To the underside is the pontil scar,  showing where the glass vessel was detached from the glass blower's pontil.

The vessel is currently filled with harmless coloured water for safety. 

The carboy has survived incredibly well, with no cracks, chips or restoration.

Please note in order for us to post out the carboy will need to be emptied. If you wish to colllect in person we will leave the vessel as illustrated.

*Collection in person is by appointmnet only*