Chemistry Laboratory – 18th and 19th Centuries

This room displays evidence of experimental research into chemistry in the late 18th century, in addition to physics and natural sciences, known as natural history at the time.

The remains of original chimneys, ventilation grilles and an oven are embedded in the walls.

Of particular note is a collection of ceramic reverberation ovens manufactured in the laboratory, and seven faience apothecary pots from the Vandelli factory.

As a whole, the collection brings together rare items of 18th to 20th century chemistry, including bench furniture and fume hoods, scales, retorts, flasks and ovens.

Vandelli´s successor was the chemist Tomé Rodrigues Sobral, who expanded the Laboratory´s activities to the manufacture of gunpowder in response to the occupation by Napoleonic troops in 1810. He became known as the “master of gunpowder”, recreated in a recently installed three-dimensional model.