Drug Jar
1501 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This drug jar, of unusually large size, is part of a famous set, all of which bear the emblem of the 'Moor's Head' and a monastic badge incorporating the letters P A M Q. This particular jar was used for "SALE ARMVNIACO" (sal amoniac) or AMMONIUM CHLORIDE, NH4C1, the earliest known salt of ammonia (q.v.), which was formerly much used in dyeing and metallurgic operations.
Pharmacies in the Renaissance period were often run by a monastic orders as part of their hospitals and their badges are often incorporated in the decoration of the jars.
A significant number of black Africans were living in Europe during the 15th and 16th centuries, the majority as slaves in wealthy homes. The ‘Moor’s Head’ emblem, in which a black head wearing a narrow headband is presented in profile, has existed since the middle ages. Its origins may lie in the invasion of Spain and Portugal in 711 by African and Arab Muslim forces led by General Tariq ibn-Ziyad. It is an image of nobility, one much used in European heraldry.
Pharmacies in the Renaissance period were often run by a monastic orders as part of their hospitals and their badges are often incorporated in the decoration of the jars.
A significant number of black Africans were living in Europe during the 15th and 16th centuries, the majority as slaves in wealthy homes. The ‘Moor’s Head’ emblem, in which a black head wearing a narrow headband is presented in profile, has existed since the middle ages. Its origins may lie in the invasion of Spain and Portugal in 711 by African and Arab Muslim forces led by General Tariq ibn-Ziyad. It is an image of nobility, one much used in European heraldry.
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 SALE ARMVNIACO,, made in Deruta, dated 1501 |
| Physical description | Drug-jar, tin-glazed earthenware, painted in blue, yellow, orange and copper green. The inscription 'SALE ARMVNIACO' is placed on a painted label in the center of a wreath. In the lower half of the wreath, a moor's head en profil, and above the label a oxskull. Incorporated in the wreath at the top and bottom, a monastic badge. The date 1501 is painted on the back. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Gaisford St. Lawrence Collection, purchased out of the funds of the John Webb Trust. |
| Object history | Gaisford St. Lawrence Collection, purchased out of the funds of the John Webb Trust. |
| Historical context | This large drug jar is part of a large set made for an unidentifed pharmacy. This particular jar was used for SALE ARMVNIACO , Sal-ammoniac, ammonium chloride The constriction just underneath the rim was used to close the pot off with a piece of parchment or paper and a string. |
| Production | dated 1501 |
| Summary | This drug jar, of unusually large size, is part of a famous set, all of which bear the emblem of the 'Moor's Head' and a monastic badge incorporating the letters P A M Q. This particular jar was used for "SALE ARMVNIACO" (sal amoniac) or AMMONIUM CHLORIDE, NH4C1, the earliest known salt of ammonia (q.v.), which was formerly much used in dyeing and metallurgic operations. Pharmacies in the Renaissance period were often run by a monastic orders as part of their hospitals and their badges are often incorporated in the decoration of the jars. A significant number of black Africans were living in Europe during the 15th and 16th centuries, the majority as slaves in wealthy homes. The ‘Moor’s Head’ emblem, in which a black head wearing a narrow headband is presented in profile, has existed since the middle ages. Its origins may lie in the invasion of Spain and Portugal in 711 by African and Arab Muslim forces led by General Tariq ibn-Ziyad. It is an image of nobility, one much used in European heraldry. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Other number | 390 - Rackham (1977) |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.132-1931 |
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| Record created | December 15, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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