This is an old apothecary cabinet that I bought in the mid 60’s. I believe it was imported from England. It was an antique then, so I assume it was made in the 1800’s.
The drawer fronts are nicely carpentered. The knobs are not original. A base has been added. The pharmacist kept medications, chemicals leeches and all sorts of devices in them.
Name plates were probably attached to front of each drawer. Most apothecary cabinets of that age were made in England, Germany or the United States.
Most were basically utilitarian for modest pharmaceutical shops. The Chinese who believed in spiritual cures made elaborate chests with carvings of dragons, and in red and gold colors for Chinese herbalist shops.
About the value of this cabinet: I paid about $150 a long time ago. On the internet one like this might be bought today for about $2,000.
If you want a massive stunning Chinese chest in red with worked brass for your living room, it will cost much more..
(Editor’s note: Palisades resident Howard Yonet has an interesting collection of curios from around the world and with his permission, Circling the News is publishing one a week. About the collector: Dr. Howard Yonet was born in Brooklyn in 1934 and attended Brooklyn College. He went to Baylor Medical School and then returned to do an internship at Bellevue Hospital. Yonet completed his residency at the Manhattan V.A. and the Montefiore Hospital. During this time he went skiing in Vermont and the Catskills, and while traveling found barns filled with early American pieces. This led to his interest in American Antiques.
In 1965, he married Daniele, who was originally from Nancy, France. During the Vietnam War, Yonet was drafted as a medical officer and stationed in Landstuhl, Germany (1966-1969). This was close to the French border, which meant he and Daniele and could visit her family.
While abroad, the Yonets took weekend trips through France and Italy, purchasing many interesting pieces at flea markets.
The family settled in Pacific Palisades in 1970 and Yonet practiced general radiology until 2006. He continued to acquire antiques and collectables at estate and garage sales and the Salvation Army Store. He also enjoyed looking for collectibles while traveling in Montana, Idaho, Colorado and Massachusetts. Daniele’s family helped add to his collection.)