Antique Pharmaceutical Pill Gilding Cup. Circa 1850

Very rare apothecary treen pill silverer dated circa 1850, original from the time and quite well preserved. These cup-shaped pieces are quite rare and difficult to find, and this turns them into real collectors items. They were used to cover the pills manufactured in old-time pharmacies with a sweet silvery or golden layer. This way, their taste and look were more pleasant and the bitterness of the medicine was somewhat concealed. Once the pill was dry, it was impregnated with mucilage of acacia and was put into the wooden cup, where a silver or gold leaf had been put. Then the user would rotate the cup until the pill was completely covered by the leaf. Eventually, the pill was transferred to a rounder in order to get its final shape. The silverer that we can see in the images is made of solid boxwood and remains in good condition, except for the small crack at the base. Inside, the bowl and the lid still retain some of the ancient silvery leaf used to decorate the pills. Rare and exclusive, this antique treen apothecary pill silverer is a superb piece which will shine in the best collection of scientific antiques. Measurements: Width: 2 in / 5 cm. Height: 3.5 in / 9 cm.