Stop van apothekersfles before 1863

This is an anonymous glass apothecary bottle, now in the Rijksmuseum. Its transparent form and the etched inscription "Sulph Ethyl Acid c. Alcoh" suggest a functional object, yet its visual simplicity invites a closer look at its structural elements. The bottle’s clear glass material and unadorned shape highlight a semiotic relationship between visibility and containment. The transparency signifies openness and purity, attributes historically valued in medicinal contexts. However, the label marks it as a vessel containing chemical compounds, subtly destabilizing any straightforward reading of its purpose. Moreover, the bottle's design, a synthesis of form and utility, questions our perception of everyday objects. The interplay between its intended function and its aesthetic qualities opens a space for reflection on how we assign value and meaning. It's a reminder that even the most unassuming objects can be rich sources of cultural and philosophical inquiry.