Museo Galileo
italiano
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Virtual Museum
Section of Room XVII
 From Philosophy to Pharmacy

Plato supposed that matter was formed of particles shaped like regular solids. This hypothesis seemed confirmed, in the first half of the 17th century, by microscopic observation of saline crystals, giving rise to a number of new theories on the ultimate structure of matter. Along with the speculative and alchemistic traditions, both medieval and modern chemistry had been characterized by the practice of preparing pharmaceutical remedies by manipulating plants, animals and minerals. The instruments used for these practices were extremely basic, not differing greatly from ordinary kitchen implements.

Objects
Bottles

Bottles

Inv. 3891, 3893
Maker unknown, 18th-19th cent.

Bottles

Bottles

Inv. 3892, 3894
Maker unknown, 18th-19th cent.

Compound microscope

Compound microscope

Inv. 1223
George Adams senior, London, ca. 1770

Glass polyhedron

Glass polyhedron

Inv. 2622
Maker unknown, second half 18th cent.

Glass polyhedron

Glass polyhedron

Inv. 3181
Maker unknown, second half 18th cent.

Glass polyhedron

Glass polyhedron

Inv. 2623
Maker unknown, second half 18th cent.

Matrass with descending still

Matrass with descending still

Inv. 1650
Maker unknown, 18th cent.

Mortar

Mortar

Inv. 2060
Maker unknown, 18th cent.

Mortars

Mortars

Inv. 3600
Alessandro Tognozzi (founder), 1764

Portable pharmacy

Portable pharmacy

Inv. 3820
Maker unknown, Tuscany, 18th cent.