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ID #SA1149305
FOR SALE
£695
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Antique Apothecary Cork Compressor, English, Oak, Wine Bottle, Press, Georgian
London Fine Antiques
for sale €813     $883
£695
London Fine Antiques

London Fine Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2010
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Id #SA1149305
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Antique Apothecary Cork Compressor, English, Oak, Wine Bottle, Press, Georgian

18th century
Description

This is a fine antique apothecary cork compressor. An English, pharmaceutical press in oak and cast iron, dating to the Georgian period, circa 1800. A distinctive chemist’s aid, replete with historical charm and practical form.

Fascinating Georgian period pharmaceutical tool with a tactile, mechanical appeal

Crafted from quality cast iron, with an attractive aged patina

Designed with a four cork press and a smoothly turned handle for ease of operation

Mounted upon a solid oak plinth, displaying fine grain and caramel hues

Finished with a leather base protector, ideal for surface preservation

Superb as a collector’s display piece, perfect for apothecary or chemist’s curios collections

Offers versatile decorative potential, even as a conversation-starting door knocker

A rare and unusual example of Georgian chemist’s equipment, this antique cork compressor presents beautifully and showcases 18th century British pharmaceutical ingenuity.

Dimensions:

Max Width: 11.5cm (4.5'')

Max Depth: 43cm (17'')

Max Height: 13cm (5'')

Physical Dimensions
Height
13cm (5.12")
Width
11.5cm (4.53")
Depth
43cm (16.93")
Declaration

London Fine Antiques has dated this Antique Oak Cork Compressor to the Georgian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1149305
Dealers Internal Reference
25474
Dealers Notes

What our clients have to say: https://www.londonfine.co.uk/pages/reviews

Description
This is a fine antique apothecary cork compressor. An English, pharmaceutical press in oak and cast iron, dating to the Georgian period, circa 1800. A distinctive chemist’s aid, replete with historical charm and practical form.
fig 1. A Georgian cast iron cork compressor with serrated hinged jaws and a turned wooden handle, mounted on a dark oak wooden base.
fig 1. Antique Apothecary Cork Compressor, English, Oak, Wine Bottle, Press, Georgian

Fascinating Georgian period pharmaceutical tool with a tactile, mechanical appeal

Crafted from quality cast iron, with an attractive aged patina

Designed with a four cork press and a smoothly turned handle for ease of operation

fig 2. A Georgian cast iron cork compressor with serrated hinged jaws and a turned wooden handle, mounted on a dark oak wooden base.
fig 2. Antique Apothecary Cork Compressor, English, Oak, Wine Bottle, Press, Georgian

Mounted upon a solid oak plinth, displaying fine grain and caramel hues

Finished with a leather base protector, ideal for surface preservation

Superb as a collector’s display piece, perfect for apothecary or chemist’s curios collections

fig 3. A Georgian cast iron cork compressor with serrated hinged jaws and a turned wooden handle, mounted on a dark oak wooden base.
fig 3. Antique Apothecary Cork Compressor, English, Oak, Wine Bottle, Press, Georgian

Offers versatile decorative potential, even as a conversation-starting door knocker

“
A rare and unusual example of Georgian chemist’s equipment, this antique cork compressor presents beautifully and showcases 18th century British pharmaceutical ingenuity.
London Fine Antiques

Dimensions:

Max Width: 11.5cm (4.5'')

Max Depth: 43cm (17'')

Max Height: 13cm (5'')

Height
13cm (5.12")
Width
11.5cm (4.53")
Depth
43cm (16.93")
Date of Manufacture

London Fine Antiques has dated this Antique Oak Cork Compressor to the Georgian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1149305
Dealers Internal Ref
25474
London Fine Antiques
London Fine Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2010

Fine antiques curated in england and sold worldwide

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the London Fine Antiques Profile Page

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A Georgian cast iron cork compressor with serrated hinged jaws and a turned wooden handle, mounted on a dark oak wooden base.
1 / 10
Archive I A Georgian cast iron cork compressor with serrated hinged jaws and a turned wooden handle, mounted on a dark oak wooden base.

Antique Apothecary Cork Compressor, English, Oak, Wine Bottle, Press, Georgian

Archive II A Georgian cast iron cork compressor with serrated hinged jaws and a turned wooden handle, mounted on a dark oak wooden base. View II
Archive III A Georgian cast iron cork compressor with serrated hinged jaws and a turned wooden handle, mounted on a dark oak wooden base. View III
Archive IV A Georgian cast iron cork compressor with serrated hinged jaws and a turned wooden handle, mounted on a dark oak wooden base. View IV
Archive V A Georgian cast iron cork compressor with serrated hinged jaws and a turned wooden handle, mounted on a dark oak wooden base. View V
Archive VI A Georgian cast iron cork compressor with serrated hinged jaws and a turned wooden handle, mounted on a dark oak wooden base. View VI
Archive VII A Georgian cast iron cork compressor with serrated hinged jaws and a turned wooden handle, mounted on a dark oak wooden base. View VII
Archive VIII A Georgian cast iron cork compressor with serrated hinged jaws and a turned wooden handle, mounted on a dark oak wooden base. View VIII
Archive IX A Georgian cast iron cork compressor with serrated hinged jaws and a turned wooden handle, mounted on a dark oak wooden base. View IX
Archive X A Georgian cast iron cork compressor with serrated hinged jaws and a turned wooden handle, mounted on a dark oak wooden base. View X
Enlarged Archival View
London Fine Antiques

London Fine Antiques
Telephone 0207 1833511
Location
The Antique Village
Hele
Exeter
Devon
EX5 4PW
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/londonfineantiques
Verified Since Oct 2010
Items For Sale 949
Items Sold 5,617
London Fine Antiques
London Fine Antiques
Verified Since Oct 2010
View Dealer Info
Location: The Antique Village, Hele, Exeter, Devon , EX5 4PW, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/londonfineantiques
Verified
Oct 2010
For Sale
949
Sold
5,617
A Georgian cast iron cork compressor with serrated hinged jaws and a turned wooden handle, mounted on a dark oak wooden base.
Antique Apothecary Cork Compressor, English, Oak, Wine Bottle, Press, Georgian
Ref: SA1149305
A Georgian cast iron cork compressor with serrated hinged jaws and a turned wooden handle, mounted on a dark oak wooden base.
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Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

FAQs

A cork compressor was a mechanical tool used by apothecaries, chemists, and winemakers during the 18th and 19th centuries to soften and resize natural cork stoppers. Squeezing the cork into the serrated jaws reduced its diameter, allowing a tight seal when inserted into bottle necks.

These tools were constructed using heavy cast iron or brass for the hinged mechanism to handle mechanical pressure. The metalwork was mounted on a solid hardwood plinth, typically oak or mahogany, ensuring stability on a shop counter.

Authentic period examples feature hand-cast metal components, natural surface patination, and hand-turned wooden handles. Look for varying circular serrated openings along the jaws, designed to accommodate multiple sizes of cork stoppers.

An antique cork compressor functions as a intriguing decorative object on a bookshelf, desk, or sideboard alongside historical volumes and curios. Its combination of dark timber and patinated iron complements industrial, traditional, and library-inspired interiors.

Maintain the surface by dusting with a soft, dry cloth and avoiding water or liquid detergents. Protect the iron components from oxidation with microcrystalline wax, and preserve the oak base using a clear beeswax polish.
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