This 18th century Dutch cabinet is part of the Rijksmuseum’s furniture collection. The cabinet houses curiosities including a mini-apothecary’s shop filled with over 300 jars, pots and bottles containing medicines. Concealed behind the rear wall of the cabinet, 55 secret drawers reveal a varied collection of over 2,000 naturalia specimens – including seeds, flowers, roots, and a great deal more. The cabinet was probably owned by a wealthy doctor or pharmacist and its contents were intended as a curiosity, for the amusement of a select group of friends.
