A Victorian brass pill maker (pill machine), this was a pharmaceutical tool used by chemists and apothecaries in the 19th century to create uniform medicinal pills by hand, before mass-produced pills were available, and were essential equipment in any chemist’s shop. This example dates from the latter half of the 19th century, it is a heavy solid item made of brass in it's original case which is missing the lid.
 
The case measure 32 x 19cm (12.5" x 7.5").