Antique Victorian Solid Silver Cocaine Poison Bottle Savory & Moore London Skull

Presenting an exceptional, museum-quality 19th-century medical artifact with distinguished provenance. This bespoke Victorian apothecary bottle is crafted from a clear glass cylinder mounted with exquisite solid sterling silver hardware. Explicitly labeled for cocaine and adorned with a stark memento mori skull, this 8cm flask was retailed by the prestigious London chemists Savory & Moore Ltd. (Chemists to the King and Royal Family). This is a premier example of antique macabre apothecary art and high-society medical history.

 During the late Victorian era, cocaine was a highly potent and widely utilized medicinal substance, frequently prescribed by prominent physicians as a local anesthetic or nerve tonic. Because of its extreme potency, high-end bespoke apothecary containers commissioned for wealthy gentlemen or private medical cases were adorned with universal poison warnings. The prominent skull motif on this piece serves as both a macabre artistic statement and a functional, unmistakable warning of the lethal potential of the contents once held inside.

Furthermore, the maker’s mark of Savory & Moore (143 New Bond Street, London) elevates this piece. They were among the most elite pharmaceutical chemists of the 19th and early 20th centuries, supplying the British Royal Family and upper-class society.

Design & Craftsmanship Please refer to the included high-resolution photographs to fully appreciate the remarkable craftsmanship and historical hallmarks of this piece:

• The Glass Body:  the body is a thick, high-quality clear glass cylinder designed for durability in a traveling medical case.

• Applied Macabre Motifs: The front facade features two meticulously cast solid silver appliques. The photo provides a brilliant macro view of the anatomically detailed skull resting above a curved “COCAINE” banner.

• The Cap & Hallmarks: The bottle is crowned with a heavy silver hinged cap.The photo clearly displays a crisp set of English sterling silver hallmarks, including the Lion Passant (indicating .925 sterling silver) and the Leopard’s Head (the London assay office mark).

• Prestigious Maker’s Mark: the photo shows the cap fully opened, revealing not only the pristine inner glass dispensing neck but also the extraordinary engraving inside the gilded lid. It bears a Royal crest and reads: “SAVORY & MOORE LTD / 143 NEW BOND ST”.

• Patina & Wear: the photo details the top of the silver cap, showcasing a rich, unpolished antique patina with honest surface wear commensurate with a genuine 19th-century medical tool.

Dimensions

• Total Height: 8 cm

Condition & eBay Policy Compliance

• Condition: Outstanding antique condition. The clear glass is fully intact with no major chips, structural cracks, or clouding. The applied silver motifs are securely attached. The silver hinge is robust, and the metal displays a gorgeous, authentic age-related tarnish.

• Mandatory Disclaimer: PLEASE NOTE: This antique bottle is completely EMPTY. It contains absolutely no fluids, residues, illegal drugs, or restricted substances. It is being sold strictly as a historical medical collectible, curio, and display piece, fully complying with all eBay regulations regarding vintage pharmaceutical items.

Shipping & Handling Given the extreme rarity, prestigious provenance, and value of this Victorian medical artifact, the item will be packaged with the highest level of care using professional, archival-quality protective materials. Shipped fully insured with tracking and signature confirmation required upon delivery to ensure its safe arrival.

Seller’s Note: It is exceptionally rare to find a Victorian cocaine bottle featuring solid sterling silver memento mori appliques, and even rarer to find one bearing the prestigious Savory & Moore retailer mark. This piece is a centerpiece acquisition for any serious collector of medical antiquities, antique poison bottles, silver novelties, or unique macabre oddities. Please review all high-resolution images closely, as they serve as the primary condition report, and feel free to message with any specific inquiries prior to bidding.

It comes with an APPRAISAL CERTIFICATE FOR $5000

Company history: Thomas Field Savory joined the company in 1797 and in 1806 Thomas Field Savory and Thomas Moore became partners in the company.  With the establishment of the first Savory & Moore pharmacy in 1849, a network of pharmacies established in the United Kingdom which became the official suppliers of the War Office and Royal Family until 20th century.  The company produced patented medicated gelatine lamels, drug-infused gelatine sheets placed on the tongue, from 1915 to 1919.