Name/Title
Apothecary's pill making machineEntry/Object ID
2025.1.600Description
Brass and wood two part machine for rolling out pill-paste and cutting it into circular pills. Likely to be 18th century because of the brass and mahogany construction.Context
First appearing in the mid-1700s the pill making machine soon became an essential item of the Victorian chemist’s shop. The pill mixtures, including a binding agent, would be rolled into a sausage shape and laid across the metal corrugated brass plate, then the corresponding side of the paddle roller would cut the pills into shape.
This is a high quality version, probably used by a private physcian and not an apothecary. It may also be relatively early, i.e., late 18th/early 19th century. (Many thanks to Dr Adam Bowett for this observation)Cataloged By
Felix LamAcquisition
Accession
2025.1Source or Donor
Gordon DempsterAcquisition Method
TransferDimensions
Height
30 mmWidth
110 mmLength
345 mmWeight
1,357 gMaterial
Brass, Wood - Mahogany (Swietenia spp.)Condition
Overall Condition
Very Good
