Antique 19thC Memento Mori Poison / Pill Box Pocket Watch 18k Double Gold 48mm

Offered for your consideration is a highly unusual and deeply intriguing antique Memento Mori artifact from the 19th century. While shaped identically to a traditional hunter pocket watch, this item is actually a covert pill or poison box. During the 1800s, such discreet containers were utilized by physicians, apothecaries, and sometimes individuals seeking to conceal potent medications or toxic powders. The explicit “STOCK CHLOROFORM POISON” engraving on this piece strongly suggests it belonged to a medical professional who needed to carry this powerful anesthetic safely. The overt use of skull and crossbones motifs serves both as a stark warning of the dangerous contents within and as a classic Memento Mori reflection on mortality.

Detailed Specifications & Condition Report

The Covert Case Design

• Dimensions & Materials: Measuring a substantial 48mm in diameter, this covert box mimics the exact proportions and feel of a gentleman’s pocket watch. It is crafted from “DOUBLE D’OR K 18” (18k rolled gold or heavy gold plate), ensuring a rich, enduring finish.

• Front Cover (Warning): The front cover is a masterful piece of relief engraving. It features a large, central shield cartouche deeply stamped with the stark warning: “STOCK CHLOROFORM POISON”, positioned directly above a classic skull and crossbones emblem. To the lower right, a detailed, slithering serpent—a complex symbol of both medicine (the Rod of Asclepius) and death—coils upward toward the shield.

• Rear Cover (Esoteric Motif): The back of the case is equally striking. It boasts a high-relief, circular medallion showcasing a highly detailed skull and crossbones. This central medallion is entirely encircled by a thick, heavily scaled ouroboros serpent biting its own tail, symbolizing eternity and the cycle of life and death.

The Interior Compartment

• Functionality: Unlike a timepiece, the front cover hinges open via the crown release to reveal a completely hollow interior, designed specifically for the safe and discreet storage of pills, powders, or small vials.

• Inner Case Marks: The polished interior of the cover is clearly stamped with the manufacturer’s mark “DOUBLE D’OR K 18” (18k Double Gold), alongside the serial numbers “19531” and “13987”. An additional maker’s hallmark is present on the right side.

Terms of Sale This antique covert medical/poison box is a genuine historical artifact and is sold exactly as photographed. Please review all high-resolution images carefully, as they form a definitive part of the description.

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NOTE:PLEASE OBSERVE CAREFULLY THE PHOTOS! IT IS A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE DESCRIPTION. Every potencial defect which is shown in the photos,but not mention in the description,will be considered for described.All the photos shoot by professional Nikon 105 Macro lens under 40x diopter magnification,so you can explore even the smallest detail like under microscope!