19th Century pharmacist's cork mold "mâche bouchon" - cast iron lizard

This peculiar object dates from the nineteenth-century and was used by pharmacists to modify corks to fit into medication bottles. Made from cast-iron in the form of a lizard - 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.