Bowl in which substances are ground using a pestle

concept

Three despairing women, one of whom looks disapprovingly at three quack medicine vendors concocting a mixture; representing Britain's economic depletion and distress at the hands of her politicians. Etching by W. Heath, 1830.

An apothecary using a pestle and mortar to make up a prescription. Coloured etching.

A young male apothecary serving two young women in his shop. Coloured lithograph by C. Philipon, ca. 1830.

A man composed of pharmaceutical equipment wandering the countryside; representing an apothecary as if he were an itinerant. Coloured lithograph.

A surgery where all fantasy and follies are purged and good qualities are prescribed. Line engraving by E. de Boulonnois, 16--.

An apothecary composed of the attributes of the trade. Line engraving.

A witch placing a scorpion into a pot in order to make a potion. Etching by F. Landerer after M. Schmidt.

Old Parr, an elderly apothecary with an extremely long beard mixing a concoction with a pestle and mortar. Pen drawing by Matthews(?), 1861(?).

A design for a pharmacy label with snakes, an alligator, symbols and urns. Pen drawing.

An alchemist working with his assistants at a crucible. Etching by F. Pedro after F. Maggiotto.

An pharmacist's apprentice mixing up a prescription. Coloured wood engraving by Stypułkowski after J.J. Grandville.

A cynical doctor describes the contents of his new cough mixture. Coloured lithograph by C. Jacque, 1844.

Monkeys representing human beings in a tooth-drawer's surgery. Lithograph by L. Haghe after E. Bristow, 1828.

A surgeon applying the method of cupping to a man's back: they are surrounded by anxious family and friends. Etching by A. Fantuzzi, ca. 1542, after G. Romano.

An apothecary in his laboratory concocting a mixture. Wood engraving by F.Mc F (?) after, 1876, after H.S. Marks.

Inventaire des mortiers d'apothicaire et autres mortiers, conservés en Aquitaine dans les Musées, hôpitaux et monuments ouverts au public / par Elisabeth Graciet.

An apothecary is making up a prescription for waiting customers, another takes a jar down from a shelf. Engraving by J.C. Weigel.

Galleries and Reading Room

Library

Shop

Café

We're experiencing some technical problems in the library today. 

If you’re visiting us, you won’t be able to print or use our PCs or laptops. If you want to sign-up for a free library membership, we’ll give you a temporary card for today and complete your membership next time you visit.

You can access items from the collection as usual and our team is on hand to help. Thank you for your patience while we resolve these issues. 

We're running paid user research studies to improve Wellcome Collection online

Take part in research

Mortars

Images from the collections

Images referencing Mortars

Works from the collections

Monkeys representing human beings in a tooth-drawer's surgery. Lithograph by L. Haghe after E. Bristow, 1828.

A surgeon applying the method of cupping to a man's back: they are surrounded by anxious family and friends. Etching by A. Fantuzzi, ca. 1542, after G. Romano.

An apothecary in his laboratory concocting a mixture. Wood engraving by F.Mc F (?) after, 1876, after H.S. Marks.

Inventaire des mortiers d'apothicaire et autres mortiers, conservés en Aquitaine dans les Musées, hôpitaux et monuments ouverts au public / par Elisabeth Graciet.

An apothecary is making up a prescription for waiting customers, another takes a jar down from a shelf. Engraving by J.C. Weigel.

Mortars

Images from the collections

Images referencing Mortars

Works from the collections

Monkeys representing human beings in a tooth-drawer's surgery. Lithograph by L. Haghe after E. Bristow, 1828.

A surgeon applying the method of cupping to a man's back: they are surrounded by anxious family and friends. Etching by A. Fantuzzi, ca. 1542, after G. Romano.

An apothecary in his laboratory concocting a mixture. Wood engraving by F.Mc F (?) after, 1876, after H.S. Marks.

Inventaire des mortiers d'apothicaire et autres mortiers, conservés en Aquitaine dans les Musées, hôpitaux et monuments ouverts au public / par Elisabeth Graciet.

An apothecary is making up a prescription for waiting customers, another takes a jar down from a shelf. Engraving by J.C. Weigel.

Related topics