This collectible pill gilder dates from the latter half of the nineteenth century.
The practice of coating medicinal pills originated as early as the ninth century, when sugars and honeys were applied to mask unpleasant odours and flavours. By the seventeenth century, apothecaries had begun to use gold and silver leaf, catering to affluent clients who regarded these precious-metal coatings as markers of social status. Although primarily decorative, such coatings could also slow—or even prevent—the absorption of the medicine. The gilding of pills remained a recognised, if increasingly antiquated, practice into the early twentieth century.
Pills were traditionally mixed and rolled by hand using pill tiles or small machines. Once shaped, they were lightly moistened with Arabic gum or mucilage and placed inside a pill gilder lined with sheets of gold or silver leaf. After fastening the lid, the apothecary gently shook the device, allowing the pills to rotate and take on an even metallic coating.
This nineteenth-century pill gilder is offered with several sheets of imitation gold leaf, allowing you to experiment with the technique yourself. Please note that these imitation leaves are not suitable for consumption.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Size: 9,5 cm high: 7 cm in diameter.
Weight: 79 grams
Age: 19th Century, circa 1860s.
Material: Wood.
Condition: In great antique condition with only minor signs of wear, consistent with age.
Please note that this shop is based in the EU. Although antiques are exempt from taxes in most countries, buyers from outside the EU might be subject to import taxes.