19th Century English Apothecary Glass Measuring Jug

For the collector … a stunning English apothecary glass measuring jug from the early 1800s, hand-blown and hand-etched with calibrations for fluid ounces and drams.  Standing 4-1/4 inches high, the jug would have been used primarily for precise measurement and preparation of liquid medicines and compounds, such as tinctures and elixirs.  It displays a prominent pontil mark on its base, a hallmark of its creation during the glassblowing process when the rod was removed from the finished work.  Steeped in history, it would make an extraordinary gift for the glass collector or perhaps someone in a healing profession.

The dram was a standard unit of measurement in the apothecary system of weights and measures, used by druggists and physicians for medical prescriptions and compounding medicines.  The system divided a pound into 12 ounces, and an ounce into 8 drams.  By the mid-18th century, English druggists began transitioning to avoirdupois weight, in which an ounce was 1/16 of a pound.  The Medical Act of 1858 required the use of avoirdupois measurements, and by 1878, only the apothecaries' ounce remained in permissive use.  

Dimensions: 4-1/4” high x 2-1/4” (base & opening)
Weight: 4.2 ounces

Condition Notes:  No discernible chips, cracks, or clouding.  Small bubble or inclusion visible next to the 1-1/2-ounce mark.  Prominent circular pontil mark on base with rough edges, typical of its era.  Overall in excellent antique condition.  See photos for more detail and contact the shop with any questions prior to purchase.

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