The Apothecary & Officina
The material culture, tools, architectural layout, and preservation techniques of historical apothecary workshops.
Inside this collection
Albarello & Majolica Jars
Italian, Spanish, and Flemish glazed tin-earthenware apothecary jars, decorative drug nomenclature, and storage mechanics.
Mortars, Pestles & Grinding Tools
Bronze, bell-metal, porphyry, and bell-shaped mortars used for powdering tough barks, toxic minerals, and dried rhizomes.
The Simples Cabinet
Organisation of dry vegetable simples, partitioned drawer systems, wood choices, and Latin pharmaceutical labeling.
Alembics & Distillation Vessels
Cucurbits, pelicans, alembic heads, and water baths employed in extracting essential aromatic waters and ardent spirits.
Guild Regulations & Inspections
Medieval and early modern apothecary guild charters, quality control inspections, and anti-adulteration pharmacopoeial statutes.
Electuaries, Syrups & Oxymels
Sugar and honey-based matrices formulated to preserve volatile botanicals and mask bitter or astringent herbal simples.
Apothecary Curiosities & Ceilings
The suspended taxidermy crocodile, pufferfish, and botanical oddities displayed to signal esoteric mastery and global trade.
Apothecary Weights & Measurements
The troy weight system, scruples, drachms, grains, and balancing brass scales used in compounding active botanical preparations.
A darker leaf.
A closer look.
We trace the line between botanical evidence, historical remedies and plant lore. A beautiful specimen deserves a careful reading.
Our approach