S/3705 Antique Treen 19th Century Apothecary's Bottle Case

An interesting apothecary's bottle case for castoreum, which is the exudate from the castor sacs of the mature North American beaver castor canadensis and European beaver castor fiber. Castoreum is the yellowish secretion of the castor sacs in combination with the beaver's urine. It is used in some perfumes or touted as an aphrodisiac. Until the 1700's it was used to beat many different ailments including headache, fever and hysteria.

The birch case, titled within a red painted border, has a fitted lid and protruding turned base. The whole has a rich colour and polished decorated finish.

Sold 4¾ in. (12 cm.) High
3¼ in. (8.5 cm.) Diameter English Circa 1840