Transformed into a vase, a soliflore or a decorative object, the glass pharmacy bottle is establishing itself as the new trend to adopt in the home. Vintage, elegant and easy to divert, this old accessory is making a comeback in interiors and is becoming an essential to hunt for.
Used since Antiquity to store remedies, oils and medicinal preparations, glass pharmacy bottles have long occupied the shelves of apothecaries and then pharmacies. With the arrival of modern medicines and industrial packaging, these containers have gradually disappeared from everyday life. Today, however, they are making a comeback in our interiors. Their amber, green or blue glass, their old labels and their sometimes imperfect shapes appeal to lovers of vintage decoration and objects steeped in history. They fit perfectly into retro, country chic or “cabinet of curiosities” atmospheres, very popular in recent years.
Reuse an old pharmacy bottle
As is, these containers become real decorative objects to display on a fireplace, a bookcase or a console. Small models can be used as soliflores to hold a few dried flowers or eucalyptus stems. The XL formats easily transform into vases for branches of lilacs, hydrangeas or country bouquets. Some even repurpose old graduated bottles into soap dispensers or containers for bath oils and salts in the bathroom. Their tinted glass also creates a very warm light when placed near a window or combined with light garlands.
How much does an old pharmacy bottle cost?
It is possible to find reproductions in many decoration brands, but also authentic pieces on second-hand sites such as eBay, Etsy, Selency or in flea markets. The most common models often cost between 5 and 15 euros, especially when they are small or without special inscription. On the other hand, certain old bottles with original caps, blown glass, engravings or old pharmaceutical labels can fetch several tens of euros from collectors. Amber models and large formats remain particularly sought after for interior decoration.
