![[CAPTAIN JAMES COOK (1728-1779)]](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2005/CKS/2005_CKS_07073_0285_000(104108).jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
An antimony cup was a 17th century medical device, used for turning wine into an emetic (as the wine stood in the cup it reacted with the metal antimony), with purgative qualities. The present cup is believed to have been part of Captain Cook's medecine chest at sea, at a time when naval captains held great store by the use of such devices at sea.
'Antimony cups seem to have been little used after the seventeenth century but there is no doubt that England, at least, escaped the controversy about the use and abuse of antimony, because antimony was the basic ingredient in the notorious Dr. Ward's "drop and pill" and it is interesting that they were both made by steeping "glass of antimony" in wine. It was therefore evident that, in the eighteenth century, the effects of wine upon antimony were well-known. Dr. James's powder was made in a different way using quicksilver but considerable doubt was shed upon the prescription. An anonymous publication in 1773 entitled "Considerations on the use and abuse of antimonial medecines in fevers and other disorders" claimed that there were other active, hidden ingredients, although antimony was said to be the active principle. As you may know, the Admiralty bought large quantities of both these preparations during the eighteenth century for use at sea so that faith in antimony was widespread among naval captains. It is therefore entirely likely that antimonial cups were acquired privately by sea captains. After all, they produced sweating and purging, which, at that time, were considered the first line of treatment in fevers and would be effective against the constipation prevailing at sea as a result of the sea diet of the period.' (from a letter, 3 May 1983, discussing the present cup, from Sir James Watt, KBE, MS, President, The Royal Society of Medecine to Dr John Munday, Keeper, Department of Weapons and Antiquities, National Maritime Museum)
'Antimony cups seem to have been little used after the seventeenth century but there is no doubt that England, at least, escaped the controversy about the use and abuse of antimony, because antimony was the basic ingredient in the notorious Dr. Ward's "drop and pill" and it is interesting that they were both made by steeping "glass of antimony" in wine. It was therefore evident that, in the eighteenth century, the effects of wine upon antimony were well-known. Dr. James's powder was made in a different way using quicksilver but considerable doubt was shed upon the prescription. An anonymous publication in 1773 entitled "Considerations on the use and abuse of antimonial medecines in fevers and other disorders" claimed that there were other active, hidden ingredients, although antimony was said to be the active principle. As you may know, the Admiralty bought large quantities of both these preparations during the eighteenth century for use at sea so that faith in antimony was widespread among naval captains. It is therefore entirely likely that antimonial cups were acquired privately by sea captains. After all, they produced sweating and purging, which, at that time, were considered the first line of treatment in fevers and would be effective against the constipation prevailing at sea as a result of the sea diet of the period.' (from a letter, 3 May 1983, discussing the present cup, from Sir James Watt, KBE, MS, President, The Royal Society of Medecine to Dr John Munday, Keeper, Department of Weapons and Antiquities, National Maritime Museum)