Description:
Delft dry drug jar, with a blue cartouche with a shaped panel labeled "P" over "Styrax". The pot contained pills ("P" on label) of storax, a gum resin obtained in classical time from the trunk of a tree, "Styrax officinalis", and later from "Liquidambar orientalis". "Grey's Supplement to the Pharmacopia" states: "a fragrant resinous, balsamic substance obtained in Asia Minor from the branches by incision....is considered a stimulating expectorant, being suppose to influence the mucous membranes of the air-passages; it is chiefly used in affectations of the organs of respiration." The cartouche has a zig-zag ribbon edge, with a scrolling vine and berries on the top center flanked on the top corners by two songbirds with open wings and two large flared tassels. The center bottom has a satyr bust with goat-like ears and pendant scrolling vines, flanked by decorative swags with four-petaled flowers and leaves, and tassels. The "satyr motif" probably evolved in Holland in the early 1600's and later travelled to Belgium and northern France (French Flanders) where the additional decoration such as song birds was added. The straight-sided jar has an everted rim to hold a tied-on cover, molded band under the waisted shoulder, and molded, stepped flat base with a round edge.
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+54.019 |
