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ID #SA180016
FOR SALE
£185
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Late Victorian Cast Iron Cork Press or Mould for Apothecary or Chemist Use, from a Private Collection.
For sale by Serpentine Antiques
for sale €216     $235
£185
Serpentine Antiques

Serpentine Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Feb 2008
Browse dealers 105 items
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    Specialising in unique pieces for the discerning individual, selected and prepared with special care..
Id #SA180016
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Late Victorian Cast Iron Cork Press or Mould for Apothecary or Chemist Use, from a Private Collection.

19th century
Description

From the private collection of a retired pharmacist, a Victorian period hinged cast iron cork press with handle, in a leafy design with three different sized moulds. A pharmacist or chemist would wet a cork and press it to size within this mould to be inserted into different sized bottles of custom mixed medications. As the cork dried, it stoppered the bottles tightly and securely.

The press was meant to be secured to the table for use, through the four holes on the feet.

Size-9.75 inches long by 2.75 inches wide by 3.25 inches high at highest point.

Weight-1 kilo.

Still retaining the original finish, this interesting apothecary antique is in very good condition. It would be an asset to a collection, and an excellent talking point.

This item will ship from the USA.

Declaration

Serpentine Antiques has dated this Victorian Cast Iron Cork Press to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA180016
Dealers Internal Reference
6249
Dealers Notes

Please click on my personal website link in the top left column of this page, or go to www.serpentineantiques.co.uk to see additional items not listed on this site. If you would like additional photos, I am happy to provide them.

Inventory is located in different locations, so please email to verify availability. Thank you.

Description
From the private collection of a retired pharmacist, a Victorian period hinged cast iron cork press with handle, in a leafy design with three different sized moulds.
“
A pharmacist or chemist would wet a cork and press it to size within this mould to be inserted into different sized bottles of custom mixed medications.
Serpentine Antiques

As the cork dried, it stoppered the bottles tightly and securely.

fig 1. A late Victorian black cast iron cork press featuring a lever handle and decorative acanthus foliage moulding.
fig 1. Late Victorian Cast Iron Cork Press or Mould for Apothecary or Chemist Use, from a Private Collection.

The press was meant to be secured to the table for use, through the four holes on the feet.

Size-9.75 inches long by 2.75 inches wide by 3.25 inches high at highest point.

Weight-1 kilo.

Still retaining the original finish, this interesting apothecary antique is in very good condition. It would be an asset to a collection, and an excellent talking point.

This item will ship from the USA.

Date of Manufacture

Serpentine Antiques has dated this Victorian Cast Iron Cork Press to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA180016
Dealers Internal Ref
6249
Serpentine Antiques
Serpentine Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Feb 2008

Specialising in unique pieces for the discerning individual, selected and prepared with special care..

Dealer Profile

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

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A late Victorian black cast iron cork press featuring a lever handle and decorative acanthus foliage moulding.
1 / 6
Archive I A late Victorian black cast iron cork press featuring a lever handle and decorative acanthus foliage moulding.

Late Victorian Cast Iron Cork Press or Mould for Apothecary or Chemist Use, from a Private Collection.

Archive II A late Victorian black cast iron cork press featuring a lever handle and decorative acanthus foliage moulding. View II
Archive III A late Victorian black cast iron cork press featuring a lever handle and decorative acanthus foliage moulding. View III
Archive IV Scale Reference for A late Victorian black cast iron cork press featuring a lever handle and decorative acanthus foliage moulding.
Archive V A late Victorian black cast iron cork press featuring a lever handle and decorative acanthus foliage moulding. View V
Archive VI A late Victorian black cast iron cork press featuring a lever handle and decorative acanthus foliage moulding. View VI
Enlarged Archival View
Serpentine Antiques

Serpentine Antiques
Telephone 07810 752 292
Location
at The Antiques Warehouse
Badshot Farm
St. Georges Rd
Runfold
Farnham
Surrey
GU9 9HR
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/serpentine
Verified Since Feb 2008
Items For Sale 105
Items Sold 1,220
Serpentine Antiques
Serpentine Antiques
Verified Since Feb 2008
View Dealer Info
Location: at The Antiques Warehouse, Badshot Farm, St. Georges Rd, Runfold, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 9HR, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/serpentine
Verified
Feb 2008
For Sale
105
Sold
1,220
A late Victorian black cast iron cork press featuring a lever handle and decorative acanthus foliage moulding.
Late Victorian cast iron cork press or mould for apothecary or chemist use, from a private collection.
Ref: SA180016
A late Victorian black cast iron cork press featuring a lever handle and decorative acanthus foliage moulding.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Scale Reference
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectApothecary Tools
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialCast Iron
  • ColourBlack
  • MotifsAcanthus leaf scrollwork, Lever handle, Graduated moulding channels, Screw-down mounting holes

This Victorian cast iron apothecary tool serves as a cork press or mould, designed for a chemist to compress wet corks for bottles of custom medications. The solid metal object displays a dark black colour with an original finish, a turned wooden handle ending in a small spherical finial, and four scroll-shaped feet containing screw-down mounting holes. Detailed acanthus leaf scrollwork decorates the top body alongside three graduated moulding channels. Measuring 25 cm long by 7 cm wide by 8 cm high, the press sits upon a wooden surface and weighs 1 kilo. In a modern interior, this Victorian item suits a home office desk as a display piece or decorative paperweight within a gentleman's library setting. The hinged mechanism operates via a side lever handle, while the lower feet secure the object firmly to a flat workspace surface during use. The heavy metal construction preserves its utilitarian past from a private collection of apothecary and chemist equipment.

FAQs

A cork press was an essential pharmaceutical tool used by Victorian apothecaries and chemists to compress and soften natural cork stoppers to fit liquid medicine bottles securely.

These tools were predominantly constructed from heavy cast iron, often finished with a dark painted or japanned coating and secured to counter surfaces via integral screw holes.

Authentic period examples exhibit heavy cast iron construction, distinct casting seam lines, period-appropriate mounting holes, and decorative Victorian motifs such as acanthus leaf or scrollwork carving.

Small industrial and medical objects are frequently styled as paperweights or decorative curiosities on bookshelves, office desks, and sideboard displays within traditional or eclectic interiors.

Maintain cast iron by removing dust with a soft brush and applying a thin coat of clear microcrystalline wax to protect the metal from humidity and oxidisation.
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