The dissemination, during the Middle Ages,of pharmacopoeias and antidotaria, listing the ingredients, preparation and medicinal properties of hundreds of natural rememdies, brought about an increasing demand for appropriate storage vessels. Pharmacies were, subsequently, a major market for maiolica. The pharmacies and dispensaries of monastic orders, hospitals and noble families required large numbers of jars to store their various herbs, roots, syrups, pills, oinments and sweetmeats. These were sometimes marked with coats of arms or other heraldic devices. The production of drug jars inscribed with their contents began in the middle of the fifteenth century, although, non-inscribed vessels continued to be used enabling their contents to be changed as required.

The globular syrup jar was a favourite form of drug vessel in Tuscany. The patricachal cross above the heraldic shield indicates this jug was intended for a monastic pharmacy. Decorative themes favoured by Tuscan potters in the first half of the sixteenth century include formal foliage, flowers springing from urns, stylised pine cones and heraldic beasts.