alembic capital

Date1870-1920

Inventory Number4283

ClassificationGlassware

Subject

Maker American ?

Cultural Region

Dimensions8 x 51 x 6 cm (3 1/8 x 20 1/16 x 2 3/8 in.)

Material

DescriptionA glass vessel in the shape of a mushroom head with necks on top and bottom. Out of one side comes a very long, straight tube diagonally downwards. The top neck is ground and has a knobless cap.

Signedunsigned

FunctionThis is the upper part of an alembic or distillation device. It is usually called the capital or alembic head. It would be attached atop another vessel with the long tube pointing downwards. The other vessel would contain the fermented substance and would be heated from below. The alcohol would evaporate and enter the alembic head, condensing on its walls and along the long tube. The pure alcohol would flow down the tube.