Drug Jar
1556 (made)
| Place of origin |
Jars of this type were 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.
The Latin inscription on the painted label refers to the original contents of the jar: 'Mostard f.', or fine mustard, which was used for instance as a plaster. When applied to the skin, it causes mild irritation that increases the local blood supply, resulting in a warm, tingling sensation. It was thought to be beneficial in the treatment of various diseases.
Pharmacies in the Renaissance period were usually run by a monastic orders as part of their hospitals, or sometimes by one of the leading local families.
This large jar is decorated with a medley of implements and instruments of alchemy, house keeping, music and science, including painted earthenware jugs, two globes and a box on the opened lid of which is the date '1556'.
The Latin inscription on the painted label refers to the original contents of the jar: 'Mostard f.', or fine mustard, which was used for instance as a plaster. When applied to the skin, it causes mild irritation that increases the local blood supply, resulting in a warm, tingling sensation. It was thought to be beneficial in the treatment of various diseases.
Pharmacies in the Renaissance period were usually run by a monastic orders as part of their hospitals, or sometimes by one of the leading local families.
This large jar is decorated with a medley of implements and instruments of alchemy, house keeping, music and science, including painted earthenware jugs, two globes and a box on the opened lid of which is the date '1556'.
Object details
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Tin-glazed earthenware with painted decoration |
| Brief description | Drugjar, tin-glazed earthenware, painted in colours and with inscription: 'Mostard f.', Venice, Italy, dated 1556 |
| Physical description | Large drug-jar of tin-glazed earthenware, painted in blue, olive-green and opaque white. On the front a large scroll, inscribed with Gothic letters: 'Mostard f. Around this a medley of implements and instruments of alchemy, house keeping, music and science. On a painted opened box, the date '1556'. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Object history | Purchased from Signol, Paris. Transferred to Circulation in 1909. |
| Historical context | The Latin inscription on the painted label refers to the original contents of the jar, fine mustard. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Jars of this type were 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. The Latin inscription on the painted label refers to the original contents of the jar: 'Mostard f.', or fine mustard, which was used for instance as a plaster. When applied to the skin, it causes mild irritation that increases the local blood supply, resulting in a warm, tingling sensation. It was thought to be beneficial in the treatment of various diseases. Pharmacies in the Renaissance period were usually run by a monastic orders as part of their hospitals, or sometimes by one of the leading local families. This large jar is decorated with a medley of implements and instruments of alchemy, house keeping, music and science, including painted earthenware jugs, two globes and a box on the opened lid of which is the date '1556'. |
| Associated object | 2586-1856 (Set) |
| Other number | 613 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 2587-1856 |
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| Record created | December 16, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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