For what purpose did ancient alchemists conduct experiments?

The illusory goals of the experiments, however, led to true scientific discoveries in the field of medicine. Perhaps the ancient art of glass making is one of them.

In addition to perfumery, glass was widely used in medicine and alchemy. This group of articles of the 10th–11th centuries include, in particular, alembics – small cylindrical tanks with a long spout pointing (in most cases) upward, used for bloodletting. The process of bloodletting and the diseases which this procedure was prescribed for are described in detail in the “Canon of Medical Science” by Avicenna. Less common are alembics whose spout points downward. They were used for distillation.

With regard to alchemy, it was practiced by both tabibs and manufacturers and sellers of medicines – attors. Utensils for chemical experiments produced by glassblowers were in demand among both mystics and scientists. Glassware made in Mavarannahr became a subject of trade, as it was in demand in the Far East. Thus, in the grave of the Khitan princess Chen, buried in Inner Mongolia in 1018, vessels made by the artisans of Mavarannahr were found: a carved glass bottle, most likely produced in Tokharistan, and a bowl made in the capital city of Samarkand. Glass from the workshops of Mavarannahr has been found in many places across the world, including Japan. It is quite common in the graves of the aristocracy of China and Korea. In post-Mongolian times, the traditions of glassmaking almost completely disappeared.

You can learn more about the topic in the book-album "Collection of the State Hermitage Mavarannakhr Art 8th – 15th centuries" (XV volume) from the series "Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan in the World Collections".

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