What is the historical purpose of an apothecary chest?

Apothecary chests were originally designed for pharmacists, doctors, and herbalists to store, organise, and transport raw ingredients, preparations, and medical instruments. The multiple small drawers allowed for precise categorization and protection of delicate substances.

What materials were traditionally used in 19th-century apothecary cabinets?

These cabinets were typically constructed using dense hardwoods such as mahogany, oak, walnut, or pine, chosen for durability. Drawers frequently featured turned wooden knobs, brass pull handles, and hand-cut dovetail joinery.

How do you identify an authentic period apothecary chest?

Authentic period pieces display evidence of hand-crafted joinery, such as irregular dovetails and hand-planed wood surfaces. Wear patterns around drawer pulls and natural timber shrinkage over time also help confirm age.

How can an antique apothecary chest be styled in modern interiors?

Small tabletop apothecary chests can be positioned on a sideboard, desk, or shelving unit to provide organised storage for small everyday items. Their structured, multi-drawer profile adds historical contrast to contemporary rooms.

How should wood apothecary chests be cared for and preserved?

Maintain the timber by dusting regularly with a soft cloth and applying a clear beeswax polish once or twice a year. Keep the piece away from direct heat sources and sunlight to prevent drying, cracking, or fading of the natural finish.

for sale €1,112 $1,207

£950

Cloverleaf Home Interiors

Sellingantiques Verified Since Dec 2010

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Apothecary Chest Drawers

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Georgian Apothecary Chest

19th Century Apothecary Chest

Id #SA1231910

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Very Rare Pair of Early 19th-century Homeopathic / Apothecary Chests of Drawers

Name: Very Rare Pair of Early 19th-century Homeopathic / Apothecary Chests of Drawers
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1231910
Price: 950 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Cloverleaf Home Interiors

Description

An exceptionally rare opportunity to acquire a matching pair of early 19th-century homeopathic or apothecary chests of drawers, dating from the Georgian/Regency period.

Beautifully constructed from mahogany and elm, these fascinating pieces display the quality of traditional cabinetmaking associated with the period. The drawers feature hand-cut dovetail joints, while the chests themselves are of dovetailed carcass construction.

Originally intended for the organised storage of medicines, remedies and preparations, multi-drawer apothecary chests are increasingly difficult to find, and encountering a pair together is particularly unusual. There are hand written labels of the rear of the drawers including Cape saffron, Orange peel, Peruvian Bark and Sassafras. These are all Homeopathic remedies.

Features include:

Early 19th century / Georgian-Regency period

Mahogany and elm construction

Numerous individual storage drawers

Hand-cut dovetailed drawers

Dovetailed carcass construction

Attractive aged colour and patina

Genuine period craftsmanship

Highly unusual to find as a pair

A superb pair of pieces with considerable character and presence, suitable for an antique interior, collector of medical or pharmaceutical history, shop display, museum-style collection, or statement storage furniture.

Buy from a trusted LAPADA dealer

The best price for this item is always direct from Cloverleaf Home Interiors.

01953 483 691 / 07919040909

This item can be viewed at Cloverleaf Home Interiors where it can be collected from. Alternatively it can be delivered anywhere mainland UK for a fee of £65. Please be aware delivery can take up to 15 business days maximum. Please take this into consideration when leaving feedback.

Cloverleaf Home Interiors is a family run business providing excellent personal customer service. We operate from our 18th/19th century barn conversions in rural Norfolk. We have a friendly relaxed approach, which our frequently returning and new clients enjoy.

Here at Cloverleaf Home Interiors we are committed to providing excellent customer service. Our genuine high quality antiques are often purchased from private homes and we make sure that every item that leaves us is in the best possible condition. We can also offer a home approval service or source pieces on request and offer a full refund if you are not satisfied. Our aim is to save our customers time and money ensuring there is no risk to the customer when buying antiques through our showroom or via the internet.

Cloverleaf Home Interiors £65 delivery retail quality

Declaration

Cloverleaf Home Interiors has dated this Antique Wooden Apothecary Chest to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1231910

Dealers Notes

Visits by appointment only please.

Description

An exceptionally rare opportunity to acquire a matching pair of early 19th-century homeopathic or apothecary chests of drawers, dating from the Georgian/Regency period.

“

Beautifully constructed from mahogany and elm, these fascinating pieces display the quality of traditional cabinetmaking associated with the period.

Cloverleaf Home Interiors

The drawers feature hand-cut dovetail joints, while the chests themselves are of dovetailed carcass construction.

fig 1. A pair of matching early nineteenth-century tabletop wooden apothecary chests featuring multiple small drawers with turned wooden knobs and a warm brown finish. — fig 1. Very Rare Pair of Early 19th-century Homeopathic / Apothecary Chests of Drawers

Originally intended for the organised storage of medicines, remedies and preparations, multi-drawer apothecary chests are increasingly difficult to find, and encountering a pair together is particularly unusual. There are hand written labels of the rear of the drawers including Cape saffron, Orange peel, Peruvian Bark and Sassafras. These are all Homeopathic remedies.

fig 2. A pair of matching early nineteenth-century tabletop wooden apothecary chests featuring multiple small drawers with turned wooden knobs and a warm brown finish. — fig 2. Very Rare Pair of Early 19th-century Homeopathic / Apothecary Chests of Drawers

Features include:

Early 19th century / Georgian-Regency period

Mahogany and elm construction

Numerous individual storage drawers

Hand-cut dovetailed drawers

Dovetailed carcass construction

Attractive aged colour and patina

fig 3. A pair of matching early nineteenth-century tabletop wooden apothecary chests featuring multiple small drawers with turned wooden knobs and a warm brown finish. — fig 3. Very Rare Pair of Early 19th-century Homeopathic / Apothecary Chests of Drawers

Genuine period craftsmanship

Highly unusual to find as a pair

A superb pair of pieces with considerable character and presence, suitable for an antique interior, collector of medical or pharmaceutical history, shop display, museum-style collection, or statement storage furniture.

fig 4. A pair of matching early nineteenth-century tabletop wooden apothecary chests featuring multiple small drawers with turned wooden knobs and a warm brown finish. — fig 4. Very Rare Pair of Early 19th-century Homeopathic / Apothecary Chests of Drawers

Buy from a trusted LAPADA dealer

The best price for this item is always direct from Cloverleaf Home Interiors.

01953 483 691 / 07919040909

This item can be viewed at Cloverleaf Home Interiors where it can be collected from. Alternatively it can be delivered anywhere mainland UK for a fee of £65. Please be aware delivery can take up to 15 business days maximum. Please take this into consideration when leaving feedback.

fig 5. A pair of matching early nineteenth-century tabletop wooden apothecary chests featuring multiple small drawers with turned wooden knobs and a warm brown finish. — fig 5. Very Rare Pair of Early 19th-century Homeopathic / Apothecary Chests of Drawers

Cloverleaf Home Interiors is a family run business providing excellent personal customer service. We operate from our 18th/19th century barn conversions in rural Norfolk. We have a friendly relaxed approach, which our frequently returning and new clients enjoy.

fig 6. A pair of matching early nineteenth-century tabletop wooden apothecary chests featuring multiple small drawers with turned wooden knobs and a warm brown finish. — fig 6. Very Rare Pair of Early 19th-century Homeopathic / Apothecary Chests of Drawers

Here at Cloverleaf Home Interiors we are committed to providing excellent customer service. Our genuine high quality antiques are often purchased from private homes and we make sure that every item that leaves us is in the best possible condition. We can also offer a home approval service or source pieces on request and offer a full refund if you are not satisfied. Our aim is to save our customers time and money ensuring there is no risk to the customer when buying antiques through our showroom or via the internet.

Cloverleaf Home Interiors £65 delivery retail quality

Date of Manufacture

Cloverleaf Home Interiors has dated this Antique Wooden Apothecary Chest to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA1231910

About the Dealer

Cloverleaf Home Interiors

Sellingantiques verified Since Dec 2010

We are a family business and stock 17th, 18th and 19th century furniture.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Cloverleaf Home Interiors Profile Page