19th Century cast iron pharmacist's cork mold "mâche bouchon" - mythological creature 11"

This peculiar object dates from the nineteenth-century and was used by pharamcists to modify corks to fit into medication bottles. Made from cast-iron in the form of a mythological creature - the top hinges open. Corks were soaked in hot water and then placed in the mold size that suited the bottle top. Then the top half was pressed down and the corks modified. A second ​mache bouchon​ is also available.