Sunday, September 19, 2010

Flea Market Find


I have been very good at resisting the temptation of e-bay but in a moment of weakness I registered my details and bought these vintage chemist dispensing bottles. I love their honey amber colour with glass tops. They were an absolute steal and I was the only bidder. I love thinking about the history of these bottles. Apparently they were found in a cellar underneath an old Chemist shop. The label on the closest bottle reads 'Spts Aether Nit' and on the back of the bottle 'Aether Nitros' - I believe it contained sleeping gas! If any of you out there are medical buffs, I'd love to know more about these medical terms.

For more flea market finds, and to see Sophie's bottle collection from last week, head over here.

13 comments:

Cathie said...

honestly, I think we share a big love of opshops & glass bottles!
I have to control myself sometimes.
glad you didn't let on about the bottles earlier..you may have not been the only one bidding :)

Unknown said...

Nice (beautifully composed pic too).

Anonymous said...

Very nice! Oh the possibilities for display or use are endless. Good buying!
Have a great Sunday!

Renee said...

Great finds! How fantastic that they still have their glass stoppers too! And even better that you were the only bidder!

posie blogs Jennie McClelland said...

They are gorgeous!! I was a pharmacologist, at the other end of drugs, not the pretty dispensing side where you could play shops with such pretty bottles. Love Posie

Melissa said...

They are a beautiful colour.

melissa said...

Wow, they look really old, what nice finds!

July said...

Great colors! excelent choice!!

moose and bird said...

How mysterious......I love the photo too. xo

Rachel Esther said...

I am addicted to glass bottles - love these ones. And guess what...?!

You are the winner for my competition! Congratulations! Head over to my blog to find out details!

Fourth Daughter said...

Lovely.. I'd guess that spts would mean 'spirits' so it would be like aether nitros spirits??

Justine de Jonge said...

Re: Spirit of Nitric Aether or Ether Nitros, was used as refrigerant [for treatment of fever], diuretic, and antispasmodic. It has long been employed under the title of Sweet Spirit of Nitre, as a grateful refrigerant, and to quench thirst in febrile affections; for which purpose the dose is from Spiritus Aeheris Nitrici Lond Spirit of Nitric Aet 412 xx. toSpiritus Aeheris Nitrici Lond Spirit of Nitric Aet 413 xl., given in a cupful of water, or any other appropriate vehicle. In larger doses, it acts as a gentle stimulant to the stomach, relieving nausea and flatulence; and also determines to the kidneys, increasing the flow of urine; on which account it is advantageously prescribed as an auxiliary to other diuretics in dropsical complaints.

http://chestofbooks.com/health/materia-medica-drugs/London-Dispensatory/Aetherea-Preparations-of-Aether-Part-2.html

Heidi said...

Those are amazing!