A small history lesson :

In the 16 th the century most houses had a sign outside in stead of a housenumber, Napoleon introduced the house numbers. These signs helped people find the right address if they had to go somewhere, you had signs for butchers, bakkers, ….. and sometimes even a sign with a painting of the buildings owner.

Gaper could be used for all kind of buildings in the late 18 century pharmacies sslowly got the monopoly on “Gapers”.

They are almost all man from Eastern origin, with open mouth. What is the link with medicin sellers ?

Most ingredients to make medicin in the 18 century came form the far east, kurkuma, mirre, gom etc. so it is proably a reference to the raw materials that made the Gaper an Eastern looking male

An other explanation is that pharmasists prepared (cooked) their goods outside which attracted a lot of attention from onlookers, who stood therewith open mouth as the pharmasist was preforming his magic.

it is a pity that this “Folklore” signs had to move for the serpent that is nowadays associated with pharmacy.