How a 17th-Century Doctor’s Cabinet Became a Design Icon

John Nicols

You’ve seen them everywhere — in East London lofts, Brooklyn brownstones, boutique hotels, and those moody, vintage-chic cafés. But apothecary cabinets weren’t born as trendy décor pieces.

Back in the 1600s, they were the trusted companions of English physicians and apothecaries, and the go-to kit for traveling medicine men. Picture them on horseback, clattering through the cobbled streets of London with wooden chests packed full of tinctures, tonics, and herbal cures.

From the Great Plague of London to the rough-and-ready frontiers of colonial America, these little-drawer marvels traveled across continents and through time. Today, they moonlight as industrial sideboards, vintage display cabinets, and statement hallway furniture — but their past is anything but ordinary.

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1. Where It All Began – 17th-Century England

In plague-ridden England, medicine was crude, improvised, and dangerous. Enter the apothecary medicine cabinet. Crafted from solid timber—usually oak or walnut—these early cabinets housed everything from dried herbs and opium to ground minerals and mercury. Each drawer had its purpose, each label a cryptic Latin abbreviation or scratched symbol.

They weren’t just furniture. They were survival kits.

Doctors travelled the countryside with portable chests tucked in wagons or saddlebags, treating patients from Yorkshire to Cornwall. These were the first mobile clinics—drawers full of cures (and a few curses).

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2. The Rise of the Roaming Medicine Man

Back then, not every town had a physician, and hospitals were few and far between. So the apothecary went to the people—by foot, by horse, by carriage. They carried wooden cabinets filled with crushed roots, tinctures, and hand-labeled bottles ready to handle fevers, fractures, and toothaches.

These medicine cabinets were compact but vital—like a war chest for wellness. If you were sick in 1660, this box might be your only hope.

3. Colonial Crossings – The Cabinet Hits America

When the English settlers crossed the Atlantic, apothecary traditions came with them. In colonial America, the cabinet took on new life. Doctors, barbers, even blacksmiths doubled as healers. And they all needed a way to organise their growing arsenal of homegrown and imported remedies.

Cabinets got chunkier, rougher, and adapted to local materials—pine, maple, cherry. They became household staples, passed down like heirlooms, each drawer still marked with a cure for whatever chaos the frontier threw at you.

4. Victorian Vibes – When Cabinets Got Fancy

By the 1800s, medicine evolved. Pharmacies popped up in towns, and the once- metal apothecary cabinet got a Victorian glow-up. More drawers, better labels, ornate knobs, and polished wood. These were cabinets that belonged in the spotlight, not hidden out back.

Still, they stuck to the same formula: rows of small drawers, each built to hold something powerful. They kept the mystery, but added a touch of prestige.

5. The Fall – and the Unexpected Comeback

As the 20th century kicked in, medicine got modern. Pills came in packets. Cabinets were replaced by sterile shelves and backroom storage. Most originals were tossed or lost—until designers and antique collectors started digging them up again.

And just like that, the apothecary cabinet was back. Not for cures—this time, for character.

6. Today’s Icons – Cabinets with Character

Fast-forward to now, and apothecary cabinets are design royalty. They’ve ditched the opium, but kept the mystery. Used for everything from barber cabinets to bathroom storage, they slot into industrial lofts, moody boutiques, and creative studios with ease.

Why do they still work? Because they’ve got presence. Form. Function. And a story carved into every joint and handle.

7. Smithers Style – Our Gothic Industrial Revival

We don’t just reissue history—we remix it. Smithers’ apothecary cabinets take their cues from 1600s England but throw in industrial steel, black mango wood, label plaques, and just enough gothic menace to make Dracula jealous.

They’re bold. They’re unique. And they’ve got that signature Smithers flair—designed to turn heads and spark curiosity.

8. Why You Still Need One Today

Even if you’re not grinding herbs or bottling potions, these cabinets earn their place. They’re the perfect mix of utility and soul—whether in a lounge, hallway, or commercial setup.

Want to store barware, craft gear, socks, or secrets? These bad boys are made for it. And every drawer is a nod to a time when storage could literally save your life.

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Discover the vintage apothecary furniture everyone’s talking about — and how they’re transforming homes across the UK.

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Read the full blog here

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Want your own piece of medical history?

Shop our apothecary cabinets – each one hand-built, character-packed, and ready to stir up a bit of old-world magic.

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Apothecary Cabinet FAQs

What exactly is an apothecary cabinet?
Born in the 17th century, these multi-drawer units stored medicine — herbs, powders, tinctures, and tonics — for apothecaries. Today, they’re design icons with history in their bones and serious style appeal.
Were apothecary cabinets only used by doctors?
No. Apothecaries, herbalists, barbers, and even blacksmiths used them — basically anyone treating aches, pains, and plagues. They were the heartbeat of early medicine.
Why do they have so many tiny drawers?
Each drawer was dedicated to a single cure — clove for toothaches, wormwood for digestion, even powdered toadstool (yes, really). The system kept everything organised and ready for quick treatment.
Are original apothecary cabinets valuable?
Absolutely. Authentic 17th–19th century cabinets are rare and highly collectible. Modern versions (like ours) give you the same character and symmetry — with sturdier materials and a practical twist for modern homes.
What’s the difference between an apothecary cabinet and a chest of drawers?
It’s about purpose and personality. Apothecary cabinets were built for precision: lots of small labelled drawers for specific remedies. A standard chest of drawers? Bigger, simpler, less romantic.
Can I use one in a modern home?
Definitely. They’re brilliant as hallway units, bar cabinets, bathroom storage, or just a striking display piece. They suit everything from Victorian townhouses to minimalist flats.
What materials are Smithers’ apothecary cabinets made from?
We use black mango wood, raw steel, aged brass, and hand-finished details. Built to look vintage, feel solid, and last for years.
Are they just decorative?
Not at all. Every drawer works. Store bar tools, stationery, socks — whatever you fancy. They’re functional furniture with plenty of personality.
Why are they trending again?
Because homes got too clean, too clinical. People want texture, history, and a bit of mystery. Apothecary cabinets tick every box.
Where can I buy an apothecary cabinet in the UK?
Right here at Smithers. No flat-pack fakery, just bold design and proper craftsmanship — a modern take on a timeless classic.
Read another apothecary story here - Why Apothecary Cabinets Still Hold Their Charm (and Why You Need One) – Telegraph