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: Health & Medicine

Albarello

This albarello has a yellow baroque shield framing the image of a saint. In the saint’s left hand is a cross and a palm frond. In his right hand the saint is holding the leash of a dog (possibly a lamb).
Description
This albarello has a yellow baroque shield framing the image of a saint. In the saint’s left hand is a cross and a palm frond. In his right hand the saint is holding the leash of a dog (possibly a lamb). The palm frond symbolizes the saint was a martyr, and the inclusion of the dog or lamb points to a variety of saints associated with healing and animals including Saint Roch, Saint Hubert of Liege, Saint Catherine of Siena, or Saint Agnes.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0572
catalog number
M-05784
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 496
catalog number
1991.0664.0572

Apothecary Jar: CRUD

This widemouthed blown glass jar has a flattened collar and an applied round foot. The jar is decorated with a baked enamel white cartouche framed by blue stylized vines and topped by a yellow crown.
Description
This widemouthed blown glass jar has a flattened collar and an applied round foot. The jar is decorated with a baked enamel white cartouche framed by blue stylized vines and topped by a yellow crown. Marked CRUD/ PP it bears two alchemical symbol for Antimony and the abbreviation for prepared. The jar is pictured on page 18 in the Squibb Ancient Pharmacy Catalogue.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
17th-18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0159
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05307
1991.0664.0159
collector/donor number
SAP 16

Apothecary Jar

This vase-shaped drug jar has a turned wooden lid painted red. The blue and yellow baroque-style baked enamel label has been left blank. for the apothecary. Containers with blank labels could be filled with different ingredients depending on the apothecary's needs.
Description
This vase-shaped drug jar has a turned wooden lid painted red. The blue and yellow baroque-style baked enamel label has been left blank. for the apothecary. Containers with blank labels could be filled with different ingredients depending on the apothecary's needs. When the contents of the jars were replaced, apothecary would write the appropriate name in the medallion.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0467
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05616
collector/donor number
SAP 328
catalog number
1991.0664.0467.01
1991.0664.0467.02

Carolus Clusius

A portrait of Carolus Clusius (also know as Charles de l'Escluse). Born in Arras in 1526, Clusius was a Flemish doctor and horticulturists. He was prefect of the imperial medical garden in Vienna under Maximilian II and professor at the University of Leiden.
Description
A portrait of Carolus Clusius (also know as Charles de l'Escluse). Born in Arras in 1526, Clusius was a Flemish doctor and horticulturists. He was prefect of the imperial medical garden in Vienna under Maximilian II and professor at the University of Leiden. He helped create the Hortus Academicus, one of the earliest formal botanical garden.
Location
Currently not on view
depicted
Clusius, Carolus
ID Number
1991.0664.0051
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-06226
collector/donor number
SAP 919

MACIS BL GE

This is a straight walled pewter drug canister with a lid. The body has two round handles that are soldered to the body, and the lid has a round flattened finial. The engraved decoration on the canister creates a cartouche of leaves and scrolls topped by a crown.
Description
This is a straight walled pewter drug canister with a lid. The body has two round handles that are soldered to the body, and the lid has a round flattened finial. The engraved decoration on the canister creates a cartouche of leaves and scrolls topped by a crown. The center of the cartouche is inscribed with the merchant’s mark, a reversed numeral four incorporated with the initials G H M. Above the cartouche the canister is marked “MACIS: BIL: GE.” Mace or Macis is the dried red outer coating of the Nutmeg seed. In addition to its use as a flavoring for foods Mace was used as a narcotic, astringent, aromatic tonic and to curb diarrhea.
The three hallmarks inside the lid are not very legible. With the aid of a high-powered Leica microscope it is possible to see what appears to be two identical maker marks and the town mark. The maker mark is a horse standing on three legs carrying a banner within a scalloped shield. The initials directly above the horse may possibly be I. G. H.
The town mark is a scalloped shield with three towers, the tallest in the middle. All three towers have long vertical windows. The area below the towers is not legible. Both the makers and town marks look very similar to marks used in the eastern Germanic towns and cities of the 18th century.
George Urdang identified the material used to make the canister as heavy tin which may be another term for pewter.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1991.0664.0893
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-06103
collector/donor number
SAP 815
catalog number
1991.0664.0893

CASTOR EUM

The label applied in the cold paint technique is marked in black and red CASTOR Eum. The jar is blown green glass and is covered with paper secured with string. The late historian J.
Description
The label applied in the cold paint technique is marked in black and red CASTOR Eum. The jar is blown green glass and is covered with paper secured with string. The late historian J. Worth Estes, former professor of pharmacology at Boston University describes Castoreum as a fatty material from the glands lying between the anus and external glands of the Russian beaver. It was used as a nerve tonic, an antiemetic, and an emmenagogue to hasten menstruation. Today Castoreum is still used in perfumes. The jar contains two folded paper packets.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0442
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05591
collector/donor number
SAP 303
catalog number
1991.0664.0442

Basilius Besler

Portrait of Basil Bressler (1561-1629), an important apothecary and botanist in Nuremberg. Copper plate engraving from Bressler, Hortus Eystettensis (Nuremberg, 1613).Currently not on view
Description
Portrait of Basil Bressler (1561-1629), an important apothecary and botanist in Nuremberg. Copper plate engraving from Bressler, Hortus Eystettensis (Nuremberg, 1613).
Location
Currently not on view
depicted
Besler, Basilivs
ID Number
1991.0664.0074
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-06200
collector/donor number
SAP 893

ESS ANTISCORB

This blown and molded square–shaped glass bottle has a narrow neck and rounded shoulders. The bottle has a white baked enamel label framed by a baroque–style blue and yellow cartouche. The label reads ESS ANTISCORB in black text, with the first initial of each word in red.
Description
This blown and molded square–shaped glass bottle has a narrow neck and rounded shoulders. The bottle has a white baked enamel label framed by a baroque–style blue and yellow cartouche. The label reads ESS ANTISCORB in black text, with the first initial of each word in red. The jar would have contained Essence of Antiscorbutic. Antiscorbutic was used to combat scurvy, so the essence likely would have been made by steeping citrus fruits in alcohol.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
17th-18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0320
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05469.01
collector/donor number
SAP 178
catalog number
1991.0664.0320

SPIR NASTURT

This square shaped-blown and molded glass bottle is marked in SPIR NASTURT. The European Apothecary Collection contains dozens of drug jars with this same embellishment.
Description
This square shaped-blown and molded glass bottle is marked in SPIR NASTURT. The European Apothecary Collection contains dozens of drug jars with this same embellishment. The generic blue and yellow decoration with its stylized crown above the cartouche is similar to glass drug jars in the collection of the Deutsche Apotheken Museum in Heidelberg, Germany. The leaves and seeds of the watercress are used in this preparation. The bottle is illustrated on page 24 of the Squibb Ancient Pharmacy Catalogue.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0232
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05380
1991.0664.0232.02
collector/donor number
SAP 89
catalog number
1991.0664.0232.01

Pewter Box

Round pewter container with lid. The Squibb Ancient Pharmacy Catalogue lists this box as a contained for “Richter’s pills.” Richter’s pills were nostrums, or pills that had no discernible physiological effect. An inscription around the coat of arms reads: Christian Sigm.
Description
Round pewter container with lid. The Squibb Ancient Pharmacy Catalogue lists this box as a contained for “Richter’s pills.” Richter’s pills were nostrums, or pills that had no discernible physiological effect. An inscription around the coat of arms reads: Christian Sigm. Christoph Fridrich Richter.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1991.0664.0983
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-06379
collector/donor number
SAP 1071
catalog number
1991.0664.0983

CROC. ANTIM.

This blown wide mouth glass jar has a flared collar, and an applied round foot.
Description
This blown wide mouth glass jar has a flared collar, and an applied round foot. A baked enamel cartouche decorates the clear glass, with a white shield framed by blue stylized leaves and yellow ribbon, capped by a crown which is typical of German pharmaceutical containers of the 17th and 18th century's. It is marked CROC. ANTIM. Crocus Antimonii was used in the preparation of other antimony salts.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0183
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05331
1991.0664.0183
collector/donor number
SAP 40

TINCT ALOES

This blown and molded square-shaped apothecary jar has a baked enamel label marked TINCT ALOES. Today aloe is mostly known for the soothing juice extracted from its leaves when applied to burns. Many people keep an aloe plant in their kitchen for such use.
Description
This blown and molded square-shaped apothecary jar has a baked enamel label marked TINCT ALOES. Today aloe is mostly known for the soothing juice extracted from its leaves when applied to burns. Many people keep an aloe plant in their kitchen for such use. It has also been used for insomnia and as a purgative for stomach ailments. (Freeman, p. 19, Drey, p. 184, Estes pgs. 6–7)
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0248
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05396
collector/donor number
SAP 105
catalog number
1991.0664.0248

TROCIS DI MIRRA

This squat–shaped drug jar has a baluster body and a stepped flared foot. A yellow shield depicts a lion balanced on one hind leg, holding an orb with its two front paws.
Description
This squat–shaped drug jar has a baluster body and a stepped flared foot. A yellow shield depicts a lion balanced on one hind leg, holding an orb with its two front paws. The shield is surrounded by an elaborate blue floral motif on a white glazed background with yellow rope bands at the neck and the rim of the foot.
A yellow and blue striped escroll is inscribed in black TROCIS DI MIRRA. The jar would have contained Trochis di Mirra, or myrrh lozenges. Myrrh was used as a tonic, diaphoretic, expectorant, and antiseptic. The jar was incorporated into the Squibb Ancient Pharmacy Collection when it was purchased at auction in 1935 from the American Art Association Anderson Galleries in New York City.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1600
Date made
1675 - 1699
ID Number
1991.0664.0506
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05718
collector/donor number
SAP 430
catalog number
1991.0664.0506

Lumbric: Alum: UST

This blown and molded square glass bottle has a narrow neck, a flared lip, and a baked enamel cartouche surrounded by a floral arrangement. The label is marked in black Lumbric Alum UST and the alchemical symbol for Spirits.
Description
This blown and molded square glass bottle has a narrow neck, a flared lip, and a baked enamel cartouche surrounded by a floral arrangement. The label is marked in black Lumbric Alum UST and the alchemical symbol for Spirits. Lumbricor is dried and pounded earthworms, alum is potassium aluminum sulfate, and ustum is Latin for heated. This jar would have contained a spirits solution of heated alum and earthworms, which was often used as an emetic, astringent, or diuretic.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1991.0664.0424
catalog number
M-05573
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 285
catalog number
1991.0664.0424

OL PETRAE ALB

This square-shaped blown and molded apothecary jar has a baked enamel label marked in red and black OL PETRAE ALB. The European Apothecary Collection contains dozens of drug jars with this same embellishment.
Description
This square-shaped blown and molded apothecary jar has a baked enamel label marked in red and black OL PETRAE ALB. The European Apothecary Collection contains dozens of drug jars with this same embellishment. The generic blue and yellow decoration with its stylized crown above the cartouche is similar to glass drug jars in the collection of the Deutsche Apotheken Museum in Heidelberg, Germany.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0238
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05386
collector/donor number
SAP 95
catalog number
1991.0664.0238

TROCH BECH CITR

This is a wide mouthed drug jar with a white tin glaze. At the top of the blue rococo cartouche, a hand holds three flowers flanked by a “C” scroll and castle tower (possibly a bishops insignia).
Description
This is a wide mouthed drug jar with a white tin glaze. At the top of the blue rococo cartouche, a hand holds three flowers flanked by a “C” scroll and castle tower (possibly a bishops insignia). The interior of the cartouche is marked in black, “TROCH BECH CITR.” In the Squibb Ancient Pharmacy Catalogue, George Urdang attributes this jar to the town of Fluda. However, Professor Wolfgang Hagen Hein believed the jar to be from the town of Durlach within the region of Baden Wurttemburg in southwest Germany near the French border. In his letter dated August 29, 1983, Hein cites page 144 in his book coauthored with Dirk Arnold Wittop Koning Deutsche Apotheken Fayencen. Trochisci Bechici Citrus was a small cake or lozenge made with a citrus fruit to alleviate respiratory ailments.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0722
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05934
collector/donor number
SAP 646
catalog number
1991.0664.0722

Spy Glass

Small refracting telescope with an achromatic objective 1¼ inches aperture. There are two brass tubes. The inner one is engraved “Ramsden / London” and calibrated from one to four. A dial adjusts the eyepiece.
Description
Small refracting telescope with an achromatic objective 1¼ inches aperture. There are two brass tubes. The inner one is engraved “Ramsden / London” and calibrated from one to four. A dial adjusts the eyepiece. The telescope is housed in a cylindrical cardboard container covered in shagreen.
Jesse Ramsden (1735-1800), a prominent maker of mathematical and optical instruments. began in business in 1762, and became a Fellow of the Royal Society of London in 1786.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1775-1800
maker
Jesse Ramsden
ID Number
1991.0664.0905
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-06301
collector/donor number
SAP 993
catalog number
1991.0664.0905

LUMBRIC

This urn-shaped blown-glass jar has rounded shoulders and a flared neck with a round glass stopper. The opaqueness of the glass comes from additing tin oxide to the formula in an attempt to mimic porcelain. The jar has a gold shield decorated with red and blue flowers.
Description
This urn-shaped blown-glass jar has rounded shoulders and a flared neck with a round glass stopper. The opaqueness of the glass comes from additing tin oxide to the formula in an attempt to mimic porcelain. The jar has a gold shield decorated with red and blue flowers. The label has the alchemical symbol for Spirits, with the text LUMBRIC in black underneath. This jar would have contained an alcoholic solution of lumbricor, or dried and pounded earthworms. Spirits of Lumbricor was used as a treatment for wounds and ulcers.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0474
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05623
1991.0664.0474.01
1991.0664.0474.02
collector/donor number
SAP 335

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
1991.0664.0938
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-06334
collector/donor number
SAP 1026
catalog number
1991.0664.0938

TAMARINDI

This urn–shaped drug jar has a round foot and domed lid. The jar has a white tin glaze with blue swags and vines at the neck and inscription. The jar is marked, “TAMARINDI.” Tamarindus is the fruit of the tree Tamardindus indica.
Description
This urn–shaped drug jar has a round foot and domed lid. The jar has a white tin glaze with blue swags and vines at the neck and inscription. The jar is marked, “TAMARINDI.” Tamarindus is the fruit of the tree Tamardindus indica. The pulp, leaves, and bark are used for medicinal purposes including the relief of fever and indigestion.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0712
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05924
collector/donor number
SAP 636
catalog number
1991.0664.0712.01
1991.0664.0712.02

Ung: Basilicon

This baluster–shaped drug jar has a white background with two continuous rings of blue, orange, and yellow stylized flowers encircling the container at the top and bottom. The foot has a scalloped rim and a vine of tiny flowers and leaves.
Description
This baluster–shaped drug jar has a white background with two continuous rings of blue, orange, and yellow stylized flowers encircling the container at the top and bottom. The foot has a scalloped rim and a vine of tiny flowers and leaves. The lid is flat and round, with an applied vine and red fruit handle. The waist of the jar bears the text “Ung Basilicon.” Unguentum basilicon, or basilicon ointment, was also known as “sovereign ointment.” The ointment had a few different recipes, but generally consisted of yellow wax, refined fat, resin, and olive oil. The ointment was used as a vulnerary ointment to remove corrupted blood from wounds, and as an emollient.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0681
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05893
1991.0664.0681.01
1991.0664.0681.02
collector/donor number
SAP 605

OXIMEL

This syrup jar has a straight spout and an applied slab handle. In a monochrome palette of blue on blue it is decorated with flora and fauna motifs. The interior of the escrol is marked OXIMEL, a preparation used as cough medicine.
Description
This syrup jar has a straight spout and an applied slab handle. In a monochrome palette of blue on blue it is decorated with flora and fauna motifs. The interior of the escrol is marked OXIMEL, a preparation used as cough medicine. The active drug was mixed with vinegar and honey. The recipe varies according to the active ingredients introduced into the mixture.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0636
catalog number
M-05848
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
1991.0664.063
M-05848 ?

Leonhardus Fuchsius

Woodcut portrait of Leonhart Fuchs (1501-1566), a physician, botanist, and professor at the University of Tübingen.Currently not on view
Description
Woodcut portrait of Leonhart Fuchs (1501-1566), a physician, botanist, and professor at the University of Tübingen.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1991.0664.0047
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-06225
collector/donor number
SAP 918

ELL LENITIVO

This albarello has a matte glaze with a central decoration of a crane on one leg inside a golden shield. The top of the jar bears a heart shaped symbol topped by a cross, with an “A” in the center. This mark likely denoted the apothecary that owned the jar.
Description
This albarello has a matte glaze with a central decoration of a crane on one leg inside a golden shield. The top of the jar bears a heart shaped symbol topped by a cross, with an “A” in the center. This mark likely denoted the apothecary that owned the jar. The jar is marked “ELL LENITIVO” and would have contained a lenitive electuary, a paste that was used as a laxative.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1991.0664.0618
catalog number
M-05830
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 542
catalog number
1991.0664.0618

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