What is inside a medicine chest?

These boxes typically contain fitted internal compartments designed to secure small glass bottles, vials, and apothecary scales. Some examples retain their original contents and bottles, while others survive as empty storage boxes with empty slots.

How do I date a chest?

Dating relies on timber choices, brass hardware styles, and construction methods characteristic of Georgian, Regency, or Victorian periods. Mahogany campaign boxes with flush brass handles often point towards the late eighteenth or early nineteenth centuries.

Were these chests meant for travel?

Many examples were built as portable campaign cases specifically designed for travel by physicians, military officers, or households on the move. Other larger variations served as stationary tabletop cabinets or wall-mounted cupboards in homes and chemist shops.

How do I care for the wood?

Keep wooden surfaces away from direct sunlight and extreme humidity fluctuations to prevent the mahogany or elm from splitting. Apply a traditional beeswax polish occasionally to nourish the timber grain and maintain the natural lustre.