Art

Panorama of the Army of the Cumberland

The National Museum of American History is not an art museum. But works of art fill its collections and testify to the vital place of art in everyday American life. The ceramics collections hold hundreds of examples of American and European art glass and pottery. Fashion sketches, illustrations, and prints are part of the costume collections. Donations from ethnic and cultural communities include many homemade religious ornaments, paintings, and figures. The Harry T Peters "America on Stone" collection alone comprises some 1,700 color prints of scenes from the 1800s. The National Quilt Collection is art on fabric. And the tools of artists and artisans are part of the Museum's collections, too, in the form of printing plates, woodblock tools, photographic equipment, and potters' stamps, kilns, and wheels.

Topic: Pharmacy

Ung: Bphonir:

This waisted drug jar has a flared foot with a deep blue glaze over a white background. The jar is decorated with stylized flowers and leaves on the upper and lower shoulders. The label at the center of the waist is marked Ung Bphonir.
Description
This waisted drug jar has a flared foot with a deep blue glaze over a white background. The jar is decorated with stylized flowers and leaves on the upper and lower shoulders. The label at the center of the waist is marked Ung Bphonir. The jar would have contained some type of unguentum, or ointment. This jar belongs to a set of drug containers seen in objects 1991.0664.0589 through 1991.0664.0596.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0594
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05806
collector/donor number
SAP 518
catalog number
1991.0664.0594

Prescription Label, Apotheke zu Wolfhagen von Carl Leister

The Bristol-Myers Squibb Collection has over two hundred early prescription labels from dozens of apothecaries across Germany and Austria. Early labels were plain and without adornment.
Description (Brief)
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Collection has over two hundred early prescription labels from dozens of apothecaries across Germany and Austria. Early labels were plain and without adornment. Later embellishments included decorative borders, images of animals such as stags, lions, or elephants associated with the name of the apothecary.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1991.0664.1110
catalog number
1991.0664.1110
accession number
1991.0664

Prescription Label, Zur Hirsch - Apotheke bei C. Schlienkamp

The Bristol-Myers Squibb Collection has over two hundred early prescription labels from dozens of apothecaries across Germany and Austria.Early labels were plain and without adornment.
Description (Brief)
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Collection has over two hundred early prescription labels from dozens of apothecaries across Germany and Austria.
Early labels were plain and without adornment. Later embellishments included decorative borders, images of animals such as stags, lions, or elephants associated with the name of the apothecary.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1991.0664.1219
catalog number
1991.0664.1219
accession number
1991.0664

Florentine Bottle

This free blown green glass container has a long neck, a slightly flared lip, a round squat body, and a twisted spout. Florentine bottles were used for the distillation of flower oils.Currently not on view
Description
This free blown green glass container has a long neck, a slightly flared lip, a round squat body, and a twisted spout. Florentine bottles were used for the distillation of flower oils.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
17th-18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0939
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-06335
collector/donor number
SAP 1027
catalog number
1991.0664.0939

Prescription Label, Apotheke in Schwelm C. H. Petersen

The Bristol-Myers Squibb Collection has over two hundred early prescription labels from dozens of apothecaries across Germany and Austria.Early labels were plain and without adornment.
Description (Brief)
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Collection has over two hundred early prescription labels from dozens of apothecaries across Germany and Austria.
Early labels were plain and without adornment. Later embellishments included decorative borders, images of animals such as stags, lions, or elephants associated with the name of the apothecary.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1991.0664.1216
catalog number
1991.0664.1216
accession number
1991.0664

GRAS D, BECHO

This albarello has a white glazed background and blue decorative motifs. Inside the oval medallion is a spotted white dog with a gold crown above. Decorative bands of blue flowers and birds just above and below the shoulder.
Description
This albarello has a white glazed background and blue decorative motifs. Inside the oval medallion is a spotted white dog with a gold crown above. Decorative bands of blue flowers and birds just above and below the shoulder. The jar, marked “GRAS D’BECHO,” would have contained the herb Coltsfoot, which was used as a cough suppressant.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0622
catalog number
M-05834
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 546
catalog number
1991.0664.0622

Hourglass

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1991.0664.0966
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-06362
collector/donor number
SAP 1054

Prescription Label, Apotheke von O van Baerle

The Bristol-Myers Squibb Collection has over two hundred early prescription labels from dozens of apothecaries across Germany and Austria.Early labels were plain and without adornment.
Description (Brief)
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Collection has over two hundred early prescription labels from dozens of apothecaries across Germany and Austria.
Early labels were plain and without adornment. Later embellishments included decorative borders, images of animals such as stags, lions, or elephants associated with the name of the apothecary.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1850-10-21
ID Number
1991.0664.1330
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
1991.0664.1330

Drug Jar

This cylindrical drug jar tapers at the neck and base, and has a grayish tin glaze background decorated with deep blue striped patterns. Geometric decoration consists of compartmentalized vertical designs between four horizontal lines of blue at both shoulders.
Description
This cylindrical drug jar tapers at the neck and base, and has a grayish tin glaze background decorated with deep blue striped patterns. Geometric decoration consists of compartmentalized vertical designs between four horizontal lines of blue at both shoulders. In the Squibb Ancient Pharmacy Catalogue George Urdang attributes this jar to Creussen, a town in Bavaria in the first half of the 17th century. However, after seeing the collection in 1983, pharmaceutical historian Wolfgang Hagen Hein wrote about new research that placed the origin of similar jars to Arnstadt, a small town in the principality of Thuringia.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
17th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0714
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05926
collector/donor number
SAP 638
catalog number
1991.0664.0714

ESS LIGNOR

This blown and molded square–shaped bottle has a baked enamel white oval cartouche that is outlined with blue vines, red and yellow flowers, and a three-pointed crown.
Description
This blown and molded square–shaped bottle has a baked enamel white oval cartouche that is outlined with blue vines, red and yellow flowers, and a three-pointed crown. The cartouche is marked ESS LIGNOR", and the Roman numeral "V" is etched into the bottle above the center of the crown. The jar would have contained Essentia Lignorum, or essence of wood. Essentia Lignorum was used to cure “foulness of the blood.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
17th-18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0382
catalog number
M-05531
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 243
catalog number
1991.0664.0382

Prescription Label, G. Arvidsons Apothek i Abo

The Bristol-Myers Squibb Collection has over two hundred early prescription labels from dozens of apothecaries across Germany and Austria. Early labels were plain and without adornment.
Description (Brief)
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Collection has over two hundred early prescription labels from dozens of apothecaries across Germany and Austria. Early labels were plain and without adornment. Later embellishments included decorative borders, images of animals such as stags, lions, or elephants associated with the name of the apothecary.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1991.0664.1199
catalog number
1991.0664.1199
accession number
1991.0664

ANIS

This blown and molded square-shaped bottle has a narrow neck and a flared lip. The baked white enamel shield is framed by stylized blue leaves with red and yellow flowers. A yellow crown sits on the top of the shield.
Description
This blown and molded square-shaped bottle has a narrow neck and a flared lip. The baked white enamel shield is framed by stylized blue leaves with red and yellow flowers. A yellow crown sits on the top of the shield. The alchemical symbols for spirits, salt and herbs are marked in black just above ANIS. which would have referred to the plant anise hyssop steeped in an alcohol solution with the ash of plant mixed into the solution. The solution would have been used as an expectorant or antiseptic.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
17th-18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0389
catalog number
M-05538
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 250
catalog number
1991.0664.0389

Prescription Label, Adler Apotheke Friedr. von Berg in Hilden

The Bristol-Myers Squibb Collection has over two hundred early prescription labels from dozens of apothecaries across Germany and Austria.Early labels were plane and without adornment.
Description (Brief)
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Collection has over two hundred early prescription labels from dozens of apothecaries across Germany and Austria.
Early labels were plane and without adornment. Later embellishments included decorative borders, images of animals such as stags, lions, or elephants associated with the name of the apothecary.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1991.0664.1201
catalog number
1991.0664.1201
accession number
1991.0664

COCHLEAR

Tin-glazed drug jar decorated with a cobalt blue festoon. Atop the festoon is a hand holding Caduceus, the staff of Esculapius, and below it is a group of musical instruments. A rectangular green and ivory paper label is glued to the back of the jar.
Description
Tin-glazed drug jar decorated with a cobalt blue festoon. Atop the festoon is a hand holding Caduceus, the staff of Esculapius, and below it is a group of musical instruments. A rectangular green and ivory paper label is glued to the back of the jar. The writing on the label is illegible.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
19th Century
1700 - 1750
maker
H.A. Piccardt
ID Number
1991.0664.0849
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-06061
collector/donor number
SAP 773

ESS AMARA HALL

This blown and molded bottle has a label which reads ESS AMARA HALL in black text, with the first initial of each word in red. The bottle would have contained Essence of amara Hallensis.
Description
This blown and molded bottle has a label which reads ESS AMARA HALL in black text, with the first initial of each word in red. The bottle would have contained Essence of amara Hallensis. Essence of amara Hallensis was also known as a tincture of absinthii kalina, which was composed of a tincture of absinthe, amarae, aromaticae, and liquid potassium carbonate. It was most commonly prescribed as a stomachic.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0275
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05424
collector/donor number
SAP 133
catalog number
1991.0664.0275

MELLAG GRAMIN

This glass drug container has a baked enamel label and is marked MELLAG GRAMIN.Currently not on view
Description
This glass drug container has a baked enamel label and is marked MELLAG GRAMIN.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
18th Century
ID Number
1991.0664.0433
catalog number
M-05582
accession number
1991.0664

CAMPHOR

This blown and molded square-shaped bottle has a narrow neck and a flared lip. The baked white enamel shield is framed by stylized blue leaves with red flowers. A yellow crown sits on the top of the shield. The alchemical symbol for spirits is above the word CAMPHOR.
Description
This blown and molded square-shaped bottle has a narrow neck and a flared lip. The baked white enamel shield is framed by stylized blue leaves with red flowers. A yellow crown sits on the top of the shield. The alchemical symbol for spirits is above the word CAMPHOR. Camphor was often used as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic. It is a gummy, aromatic substance obtained from the Camphor Laurel or cinnamomum camphora found in China, Japan, and Taiwan. Externally Camphor was applied to the skin as a liniment.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0356
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 217
catalog number
1991.0664.0356
M-05505

Ung d althea

This waisted drug jar has a flared foot and a deep blue glaze over a white background. The jar is decorated with stylized flowers and leaves on the upper and lower shoulders. The label at the center of the waist is marked, Ung d althea.
Description
This waisted drug jar has a flared foot and a deep blue glaze over a white background. The jar is decorated with stylized flowers and leaves on the upper and lower shoulders. The label at the center of the waist is marked, Ung d althea. The jar would have contained an ointment made from the Althaea, or marshmallow plant. The ointment was often taken from the roots of the plant and used as an emollient and demulcent (an oily substance to relieve a sore mucous membrane). This jar belongs to a set of drug containers seen in objects 1991.0664.0589 through 1991.0664.0596.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0596
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05808
collector/donor number
SAP 520
catalog number
1991.0664.0596

OL RUTAE

This blown and molded glass bottle with stopper has a baked enamel label marked, OL RUTAE. Oil of Rutae is made from the herb Ruta graveolens more commonly known as Rue.
Description
This blown and molded glass bottle with stopper has a baked enamel label marked, OL RUTAE. Oil of Rutae is made from the herb Ruta graveolens more commonly known as Rue. The leaves of the herb are distilled in alcohol and used as a stimulant, an antispasmodic, for convulsions and hysteria, and as an abortifacient, to induce a miscarriage.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
17th-18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0466
catalog number
M-05615
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 327
catalog number
1991.0664.0466

GUMMI LACC IN TABU

This drug jar is marked GUMMI LACC IN TABUL.
Description
This drug jar is marked GUMMI LACC IN TABUL. Pharmaceutical historian George Urdang attributes containers 1991.0664.0760 through 1991.0664.0825 to Hanau in the late 18th century based on the floral design surrounding the medallion and the initials HN on the bottom of many of the jars in the series. However, in a letter to museum curators dated August 1983, the pharmaceutical historian Wolfgang-Hagen Hein wrote that the containers without initials and those marked FH were made in Florsheim in the German state of Hesse.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1790-1810
Date made
1775 - 1799
ID Number
1991.0664.0818
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 742
catalog number
1991.0664.0818

ELIX IUNIPER

A painted floral garland with a red bow on top and a blue bow at the bottom decorates this white apothecary bottle. The inside of the garland is marked, “ELIX/IUNIPER.” This jar would have contained an Elixir of Juniper, made from juniper berries.
Description
A painted floral garland with a red bow on top and a blue bow at the bottom decorates this white apothecary bottle. The inside of the garland is marked, “ELIX/IUNIPER.” This jar would have contained an Elixir of Juniper, made from juniper berries. The elixir was used as a carminative, tonic, and diuretic.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th-19th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0865
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05635
collector/donor number
SAP 347
catalog number
1991.0664.0865

SAL MIRABIL GLAUB

This blown and molded drug jar is marked "SAL MIRABIL GLAUB", and known as "Mirabile Glauber's Salt" or Sodium Sulfate. Described by the German chemist Johan Rudolf Glauber (1604-1670), sodium sulfate was used in processing glass.
Description
This blown and molded drug jar is marked "SAL MIRABIL GLAUB", and known as "Mirabile Glauber's Salt" or Sodium Sulfate. Described by the German chemist Johan Rudolf Glauber (1604-1670), sodium sulfate was used in processing glass. As a medicinal it served as a laxative and stypic.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
17th-18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0325
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 183
catalog number
1991.0664.0325

Apothecary Jar

This vase-shaped drug jar has a flared lip and applied round foot. The Baroque-style blue and yellow label with a white oval shield is not marked. Containers with blank labels could be filled with different ingredients depending on the apothecary's needs.
Description
This vase-shaped drug jar has a flared lip and applied round foot. The Baroque-style blue and yellow label with a white oval shield is not marked. Containers with blank labels could be filled with different ingredients depending on the apothecary's needs. When the contents of the jars were replaced the apothecary would write the appropriate name on the medallion.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0470
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05619
collector/donor number
SAP 331
catalog number
1991.0664.0470

jar

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
18th Century
ID Number
1991.0664.0700
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
1991.0664.0700.01
1991.0664.0700.02
collector/donor number
SAP 624

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