Drug Jar
ca. 1540 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This jar was used for storing drugs. It would have been part of a set of similar jars for different drugs, belonging to a pharmacy. The constriction just underneath the rim was used to close the pot off with a piece of parchment or paper and a string. A few more jars from the same set have survived, including one with a spout, for a liquid drug.
Pharmacies in the Renaissance period were usually run by a monastic orders as part of their hospitals, or by one of the leading local families. The badge of the order or the arms of the family can be found on many surviving drug jars. The flower on our jar would probably have had such a function.
Pharmacies in the Renaissance period were usually run by a monastic orders as part of their hospitals, or by one of the leading local families. The badge of the order or the arms of the family can be found on many surviving drug jars. The flower on our jar would probably have had such a function.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Tin-glazed earthenware, painted in colours |
| Brief description | Drug-jar, tin-glazed earthenware, painted in colours and inscription ....... |
| Physical description | Spouted drug-jar, tin-glazed earthenware, painted in colours. The inscription 'A'BVGALOSSA' is placed on a painted label on the lower part of the front, and a mark: 'P'' is painted below the handle. Below the spout, a shield of arms showing the top of a human head surmounted by two tall wings. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Historical context | This pot was used for storing liquid drugs. It would have been part of a set of similar jars for different drugs, belonging to a pharmacy. The constriction just underneath the rim was used to close the pot off with a piece of parchment or paper and a string. The Latin inscription refers to the original contents of the jar. |
| Production | Compare to similar piecein the Faenza Museum, Donazione Fanfani, dated 1542. See Bibl.Ref. |
| Summary | This jar was used for storing drugs. It would have been part of a set of similar jars for different drugs, belonging to a pharmacy. The constriction just underneath the rim was used to close the pot off with a piece of parchment or paper and a string. A few more jars from the same set have survived, including one with a spout, for a liquid drug. Pharmacies in the Renaissance period were usually run by a monastic orders as part of their hospitals, or by one of the leading local families. The badge of the order or the arms of the family can be found on many surviving drug jars. The flower on our jar would probably have had such a function. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Other number | 540 - Rackham (1977) |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 108-1901 |
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| Record created | December 7, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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