Description:
English delft wet drug jar or syrup pot with a blue cartouche with a straight unlabeled panel on the side opposite the spout, which descended in the family of Dr. Thomas Williams (1718-1775) of the Williams family of Deerfield. A note inside the jar written by Mrs. Mary Williams Fuller around 1900 states: "Medicine Mixer belonging to Dr. Thomas Williams (B.1715, D. 1775. Deerfield 1740 (Old French Ware)." This handleless form of wet drug jar began to appear in the mid-18th century as a more practical vessel that could be grasped by the foot, which is taller than the foot of the handled form. According to John Austin, non-inscribed drug jars (a blank space where the inscription normally appears) were probably included in sets sold to apothecaries who could apply a paper label for any other drug they might sell; it is also possible that full non-inscribed sets were sold. The scrolled-edge cartouche is decorated with the churub design, the most common decoration on 18th century delft drug jars. The top center shell is flanked by by two tall flower sprays, and a winged churub in each top corner facing outward and holding a floral stray. The center bottom edge has a churub's head with folded wings, tassels, and scrolling floral sprays. The jar has an everted rim to hold the tied-on parchment, flared cylindrical spout with a thickened rim, and high, flared cone-shaped foot.
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+65.181 |
