The Apothecary’s Suite: A Collection of Four 19th-Century Glass Densimeters

With Stand: 10 1/2"H x 8 1/2"W x 1 1/2"D

Individual from tallest: 9", 8 1/2", 6", 5 1/2"

Hand-blown glass, handwritten paper scrolls, lead-shot and mercury ballast, original textured cardboard telescoping cases.

Sourced directly from the laboratory counters of La Farmacia de Puerta Purchena (the iconic Farmacia Durbán, est. 1862) in Almería, Spain, The Apothecary’s Suite is a remarkably rare, fully intact collection of four antique glass densimeters dating from the late 19th to early 20th century. These hand-blown instruments embody a stunning intersection of clinical precision and artistic craftsmanship, designed to measure fluid density through a delicate visual equilibrium. Weighted at their bases with dark lead shot or shimmering pools of mercury ballast, their paper-thin linear stems contain meticulously rolled paper scrolls featuring exquisite, hand-inked calligraphy in Spanish and French. The suite showcases brilliant historical diversity, including a grand specimen handcrafted by the celebrated 19th-century Barcelona optician Luis Corrons, a French Aréomètre calibrated precisely to 15°C, a Densimètre likely used to test chemical compounds like tannins, and a specialized Pesa-Almíbar designed to gauge the thickness of boiling medicinal or confectionery syrups.

What elevates this suite from a scientific relic to a profound piece of cultural history is its direct connection to the legendary Durbán brothers, the visionary chemists and pharmacists who operated this very laboratory. In the early 20th century, working behind the counters of this Almeriense pharmacy, the Durbáns spent years researching and synthesizing tannic acid to perfect Tanagel—a pioneering medicine that became a household staple across Spain for curing childhood stomach ailments. The tannin hydrometer in this collection was almost certainly used by the brothers to measure and stabilize the exact chemical compounds that led to this national pharmaceutical breakthrough. Impeccably preserved alongside their original, textured cardboard telescoping cases, the collection transcends its original utility to stand as a cohesive work of avant-garde design. The juxtaposition of the long, minimalist silhouettes against the rich history of Almería's vanished medical heritage makes this a magnificent, museum-quality acquisition, offering a rare opportunity for discerning collectors to acquire a texturally rich piece of Spanish history where the tools of data collection were crafted with the elegance of fine sculpture.

Comes with a contemporary wood stand.

Late 19th to Early 20th Century

Spain