Description:
Dutch delft dry drug jar, with a dark blue cartouche with a straight panel labeled "EX" in the the small semicircular area (characteristic of Dutch design) over "CATHOL:". The jar held an extract ("EX" on label) of catholicon, used as a purgative electuary known as the "Universal Purge". Catholicon was made from the purgatives - senna leaves, tamarind pulp, cassia pulp, polypody rhizome - and mixed with seeds of cucumbers, fennel, citrus, melon, and liquorice, and other ingredients 'that purged all the humours'. "Grey's Supplement to the Pharmacopia" states: "Senna leaves...when unadulterated, it is one of the best of all purgatives, but is very much mixed....Cassia (West Indian senna)..pulp of the pods laxative; leaves purgative...Tamarind is another laxative." The cartouche is decorated with the peacock design, the most common design on Dutch delft jars that appeared before 1665 and lasted into the mid 18th century. However, attribution can be difficult since the peacock motif was also produced in England (rarely), Belgium, northern France, Berlin, and possibly Copenhagen. The top center fruit basket is flanked by four flattened arches and a peacock standing on one leg on a scroll at each top corner facing the basket. The shaped bottom edge has a cherub's head, pendant cross, folded wings, and swags with a four-petaled flower and leaves. The jar has an everted rim to hold a tied-on cover, stepped shoulder, slightly flared sides, and a slight indentation over a flat base.
Subjects:
Pottery; glaze (coating by location) Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+54.004.10 |
