Description:
Ceramic decorated with numerous well painted panels in green, yellow, ochre and grey on a blue ground containing a classical bust surrounded by griffins, a lion, trophies, foliage and a label with the name of the drug painted in a fictive "label" around the central body of the vase (ZUCCARUM VIOLARUM). This compound is a sugary mixture made from violets [or red roses] recommended by Giorgio Melichio (Avvertimenti nelle composizioni de' Medicamenti per uso della Spetieria, ... Venice, 1660, p. 170 ) because "it quenches thirst and the inflammation due to cholara, and lubricates the stomach".) Reference from Grazia Biscontini Ugolini (ed.), I Vasi da farmacia nella collezione Bayer; Pharmacy Jars in the Bayer Collection, Pisa, 1997, pp. 84-85. (W. Watson, 2.23.2012)
Label Text:
Decorated with an enwreathed classical bust bordered by griffins, trophies, a cherub’s head, and other motifs, this albarello carries the inscription “zuccarum violarum.” The vessel was designed to store and preserve Zucchero Violato, a sweet compound made from violets and used for a variety of ailments. This cure-all was administered to aid the lungs, cure headaches, sleeplessness, and to balance the humors as well as flavoring drinks and as an ingredient in cooking.
Tags:
pottery; containers; medicine Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=MH+2002.3.3 |
