This exquisite Victorian pharmaceutical pill roller is a fine example of 19th-century craftsmanship by the renowned English firm S. Maw, Son & Sons. The pill roller is constructed from rich mahogany and features elegant brass fittings, showcasing the combination of functionality and aesthetic appeal characteristic of the Victorian era. Victorian pill rollers are highly collectible items that offer a glimpse into the history of pharmacy and medicine.
Dimensions: 12.5 x 18 in — 31.8 x 45.7 cm. Excellent condition!
Pill rollers like this one were essential tools in apothecaries and pharmacies during the 19th century, before the advent of modern pill manufacturing. They were used to manually shape and cut medicinal pills from a pliable mass, ensuring consistency in size and dosage. Pharmacists would roll out the medicinal paste into a uniform sheet, use the roller to cut it into strips, and then further divide the strips into individual pills. The precision of this manual process ensured accurate dosing, which was crucial for effective treatment. S. Maw, Son & Sons were prominent suppliers of medical and pharmaceutical equipment, known for their high-quality products.
The marking "5 Grains" on the pill roller (see the second photograph) refers to the weight of the individual pills it was designed to produce. The grain is a traditional unit of weight in the imperial system, commonly used in the apothecaries' system, which is often used in pharmacology and medicine.
1 grain is approximately equal to 0.0648 grams. Therefore, a pill roller marked "5 Grains" would produce pills that each weigh about 5 grains, which is roughly 0.324 grams (since 5 x 0.0648 = 0.324).
Since antique pill rollers were used by pharmacists to form pills from a dough-like mixture of medicinal ingredients, the size and weight of the pills were standardized, and "5 Grains" indicates that each pill produced would weigh 5 grains. This was important for ensuring consistent dosages of medications.
This Victorian mahogany and brass pill roller is an exceptional piece for collectors of medical antiques, offering historical value and craftsmanship. It would make a striking addition to a display of pharmaceutical instruments or a broader collection of Victorian-era artifacts. This particular piece not only represents the technological advancements of its time but also serves as a beautiful decorative object for collectors of medical antiques. If you are interested in a demonstration of a similar pill roller, we have included a YouTube video along our photographs. Please note that the video is not ours and it is not showing our product.
Notes
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