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.

Resource Type: Bottles

SPIR NITRI DULC

This blown and molded bottle has a Baroque-style blue and yellow cartouche with red and black lettering. The baked enamel label is marked SPIR NITRI DULC.Currently not on view
Description
This blown and molded bottle has a Baroque-style blue and yellow cartouche with red and black lettering. The baked enamel label is marked SPIR NITRI DULC.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0264
catalog number
M-05413
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 122

ESS RHABARB

Hand blown, vase-shaped white opaque glass container with an applied round foot and a round stopper. Marked, "ESS RHABARB". The Roman numeral "XXIV" has been etched into the glass on the back shoulder. The number "15" has been etched into the stopper.Currently not on view
Description
Hand blown, vase-shaped white opaque glass container with an applied round foot and a round stopper. Marked, "ESS RHABARB". The Roman numeral "XXIV" has been etched into the glass on the back shoulder. The number "15" has been etched into the stopper.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
18th-19th Century
ID Number
1991.0664.0864
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05634
collector/donor number
SAP 346
catalog number
1991.0664.0864.01
1991.0664.0864.02

OL JUNIPER

This blown and molded apothecary jar is marked OL JUNIPER in red and black. Both the fruit and the wood of the Juniper were used to make tonics for various stomach ailments including dyspepsia and stomachic.Currently not on view
Description
This blown and molded apothecary jar is marked OL JUNIPER in red and black. Both the fruit and the wood of the Juniper were used to make tonics for various stomach ailments including dyspepsia and stomachic.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0281
catalog number
M-05430
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 139

SPIR SAPON

This blown and molded bottle has a baked enamel label framed by a Baroque-style blue and yellow cartouche. The label is marked SPIR SAPON also known as Spiritus Saponatus, or Spirit of Soap. Spirit of Soap was used as a salve for a variety of skin conditions.
Description
This blown and molded bottle has a baked enamel label framed by a Baroque-style blue and yellow cartouche. The label is marked SPIR SAPON also known as Spiritus Saponatus, or Spirit of Soap. Spirit of Soap was used as a salve for a variety of skin conditions. It was prepared by making soap from olive oil and potassium, then steeping it in alcohol and water.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0266
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05415
collector/donor number
SAP 124
catalog number
1991.0664.0266

TMR SIMPL ORD

This blown and molded square-shaped bottle has a thin neck and a flared lip. The white baked enamel shield is framed by stylized blue leaves with yellow and red flowers. Above the shield is a yellow crown. TMR is the abbreviation for Tinctura Martis, or tincture of iron.
Description
This blown and molded square-shaped bottle has a thin neck and a flared lip. The white baked enamel shield is framed by stylized blue leaves with yellow and red flowers. Above the shield is a yellow crown. TMR is the abbreviation for Tinctura Martis, or tincture of iron. Tinctures of iron were commonly used as stimulants or tonics.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1991.0664.0370
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05519
collector/donor number
SAP 231
catalog number
1991.0664.0370

ELIX ...T DULC

This blown and molded jar has a Baroque-style blue and yellow cartouche with red and black lettering. It is marked with an alchemical symbol, two P's with two lines intersecting the stems and, ELIX...T DULC.Currently not on view
Description
This blown and molded jar has a Baroque-style blue and yellow cartouche with red and black lettering. It is marked with an alchemical symbol, two P's with two lines intersecting the stems and, ELIX...T DULC.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
17th-18th Century
ID Number
1991.0664.0319
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05468
collector/donor number
SAP 177

ESS CENTAUR MIN

This blown and molded bottle is marked ESS CENTAUR MIN. The bottle would have contained the Essence of Centaurium Minus. The tops of the flowering plant Centaurium erythraea was used for its medicinal properties as an aperient or laxative.Currently not on view
Description
This blown and molded bottle is marked ESS CENTAUR MIN. The bottle would have contained the Essence of Centaurium Minus. The tops of the flowering plant Centaurium erythraea was used for its medicinal properties as an aperient or laxative.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0305
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05454
collector/donor number
SAP 163
catalog number
1991.0664.0305

LIQ CORN CERV SUCC

This blown and molded bottle is marked LIQ CORN CERV SUCC. The jar would have contained a liquor solution of amber with cornu cervi (calcium phosphate from stag horns). The solution was used as a general tonic, sedative, antispasmodic, nervine, and antacid.Currently not on view
Description
This blown and molded bottle is marked LIQ CORN CERV SUCC. The jar would have contained a liquor solution of amber with cornu cervi (calcium phosphate from stag horns). The solution was used as a general tonic, sedative, antispasmodic, nervine, and antacid.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0301
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05450
collector/donor number
SAP 159
catalog number
1991.0664.0301

ESS VINCKTOX

This blown and molded square shaped glass bottle has a skinny neck and flared lip. The bottle has a baked white enamel label framed in blue and red, and is surrounded by a gold and brown escutcheon with a crown sitting at the top.
Description (Brief)
This blown and molded square shaped glass bottle has a skinny neck and flared lip. The bottle has a baked white enamel label framed in blue and red, and is surrounded by a gold and brown escutcheon with a crown sitting at the top. The label reads “ESS VINCKTOX” in black text, with the first initial of each word in red. This bottle would have contained Essence of Vincetoxicum. Vincetoxicum officinal, or root of swallow wort, was the main ingredient in this essence, and was prescribed as a diuretic, emmenagogue, or diaphoretic.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.1049
catalog number
M-05404
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 113
catalog number
1991.0664.1049

Apothecary Bottle, IS

This square-shaped glass bottle has an applied neck and flat circular collar, and the white baked enamel cartouche is framed by yellow stylized leaves, and capped by a crown. The label is marked with the alchemical symbols for spirits, salt and IS.
Description
This square-shaped glass bottle has an applied neck and flat circular collar, and the white baked enamel cartouche is framed by yellow stylized leaves, and capped by a crown. The label is marked with the alchemical symbols for spirits, salt and IS. The number "16" has been etched into the shoulder. According to George Urdang author of The Squibb Ancient Pharmacy Catalogue this bottle was manufactured in the last third of the eighteenth century.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0192
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05340
collector/donor number
SAP 49

SPIR MENTH

This blown and molded jar has a Baroque style blue and yellow cartouche with red and black lettering. The baked enamel label is marked SPIR MENTH. Infused spearmint leaves were used for this preparation which when infused with water acted as an antispasmodic.
Description
This blown and molded jar has a Baroque style blue and yellow cartouche with red and black lettering. The baked enamel label is marked SPIR MENTH. Infused spearmint leaves were used for this preparation which when infused with water acted as an antispasmodic. It was also used as a flavoring for foul tasting medicines.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0274
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05423
collector/donor number
SAP 132
catalog number
1991.0664.0274

ESS. CASCARILL. C

This blown and molded square glass bottle has a flared lip. A baked enamel cartouche decorated with a white shield framed, blue stylized leaves, a yellow ribbon and capped by a crown. The bottle is marked ESS. CASCARILL.C.Currently not on view
Description
This blown and molded square glass bottle has a flared lip. A baked enamel cartouche decorated with a white shield framed, blue stylized leaves, a yellow ribbon and capped by a crown. The bottle is marked ESS. CASCARILL.C.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0180
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05328
1991.0664.0180
collector/donor number
SAP 37

ESS. MYRRH

This blown and molded square glass bottle has a narrow neck with a flared collar. The baked enamel cartouche decorates the clear glass with a white shield framed by blue stylized leaves and yellow ribbon, capped by a crown. It is marked ESS.
Description
This blown and molded square glass bottle has a narrow neck with a flared collar. The baked enamel cartouche decorates the clear glass with a white shield framed by blue stylized leaves and yellow ribbon, capped by a crown. It is marked ESS. MYRRH which was used as a spice, specifically as an aromatic in church rituals. For medicinal purposes Myrrh was thought to help with conception.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0182
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05330
1991.0664.0182
collector/donor number
SAP 39

ESS. SCORD

This blown and molded square shaped clear glass bottle has a flared lip. The baked enamel cartouche label consists of a white shield framed by blue stylized leaves and yellow ribbon, capped by a crown. The bottle is marked ESS. SCORD in black.Currently not on view
Description
This blown and molded square shaped clear glass bottle has a flared lip. The baked enamel cartouche label consists of a white shield framed by blue stylized leaves and yellow ribbon, capped by a crown. The bottle is marked ESS. SCORD in black.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0177
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05325
1991.0664.0177
collector/donor number
SAP 34

Apothecary Bottle, ESS L GUAIAC

This square blown and molded glass bottle has an applied neck and flared collar. The bottle is decorated with a baked white enamel cartouche which is framed by stylized blue leaves and yellow and red flowers. It is marked in black ESS L GUAIAC.Currently not on view
Description
This square blown and molded glass bottle has an applied neck and flared collar. The bottle is decorated with a baked white enamel cartouche which is framed by stylized blue leaves and yellow and red flowers. It is marked in black ESS L GUAIAC.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0207
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05355
collector/donor number
SAP 64

ELIX SALUT

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 ELIX SALUT. The jar would have contained Elixir Salutis, or Elixir of Health.
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 ELIX SALUT. The jar would have contained Elixir Salutis, or Elixir of Health. The elixir was composed of the plants senna, coriander, and jalap. The elixir was used as a carminative to relieve flatulence and as a cathartic to accelerate bowel movements.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
17th-18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0386
catalog number
M-05535
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 247
catalog number
1991.0664.0386

BALS SULPHUR SUCCIN

This blown and molded square–shaped glass bottle has a narrow neck and rounded shoulders. The label reads BALS SULPHUR SUCCIN in black text, with the first initial of each word in red. The jar would have contained Balsamum Sulphuris Succinum, a balm of sulphur and amber.
Description
This blown and molded square–shaped glass bottle has a narrow neck and rounded shoulders. The label reads BALS SULPHUR SUCCIN in black text, with the first initial of each word in red. The jar would have contained Balsamum Sulphuris Succinum, a balm of sulphur and amber. The balm would have been used as a tonic, emmenagogue, or anti–hysteric.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0306
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05455
collector/donor number
SAP 164
catalog number
1991.0664.0306

Apothecary Bottle, TINCT MART T LUD

This blown and molded drug jar has a baked enamel label marked in red and black TINCT MART T LUD.Currently not on view
Description
This blown and molded drug jar has a baked enamel label marked in red and black TINCT MART T LUD.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0253
catalog number
M-05401
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 110

ESS MYRRH

This blown and molded bottle has a skinny neck and a flared lip. The bottle has a baked enamel label framed by a Baroque-style blue and yellow cartouche. The label readsESS MYRRH in black text, with the first initial of each word in red.
Description
This blown and molded bottle has a skinny neck and a flared lip. The bottle has a baked enamel label framed by a Baroque-style blue and yellow cartouche. The label readsESS MYRRH in black text, with the first initial of each word in red. This jar would have contained Essence of Myrrh. Myrrh could be used as a tonic, diaphoretic, expectorant, stomachic, and antiseptic.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0300
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05449
collector/donor number
SAP 164
catalog number
1991.0664.0300

AQ CHEREFoL

This square-shaped glass bottle has a flat circular collar. The container is decorated with a baked white enamel cartouche that is framed by yellow stylized leaves and capped with a crown. The label is marked in black AQ CHEREFoL.
Description
This square-shaped glass bottle has a flat circular collar. The container is decorated with a baked white enamel cartouche that is framed by yellow stylized leaves and capped with a crown. The label is marked in black AQ CHEREFoL. According to George Urdang, author of The Squibb Ancience Pharmacy Catalogue this bottle was manufactured in the last third of the 18th century.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0191
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05339
collector/donor number
SAP 48
catalog number
1991.0664.0191

TRA ACRED

This blown and molded square-shaped bottle has a wide neck and flared lip. The white baked enamel shield is framed by stylized blue leaves with yellow and red flowers. Above the shield is a yellow crown.
Description
This blown and molded square-shaped bottle has a wide neck and flared lip. The white baked enamel shield is framed by stylized blue leaves with yellow and red flowers. Above the shield is a yellow crown. The label has the alchemical symbol for powder at the top, with a symbol similar to the number 9 followed by the text TRA ACRED.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
17th-18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0369
catalog number
M-05518
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 230
catalog number
1991.0664.0369

ESS B PERUVIAN

This square blown and molded glass bottle has an applied neck and a flared collar.
Description
This square blown and molded glass bottle has an applied neck and a flared collar. The container is decorated with a baked white enamel cartouche that is framed by stylized blue leaves and yellow and red flowers, and the baked enamel label is marked ESS B PERUVIAN.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0201
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05349
collector/donor number
SAP 58
catalog number
1991.0664.0201

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
1991.0664.0931
collector/donor number
SAP 1019
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-06327
1991.0664.0931

OL: CARVI

This square bottle with its separate dome–shaped cover probably contained an extract made from caraway seeds. The baked enamel label is marked, "OL: CARVI." The bottle would have contained Oil of Carui, or oil of caraway seeds.
Description
This square bottle with its separate dome–shaped cover probably contained an extract made from caraway seeds. The baked enamel label is marked, "OL: CARVI." The bottle would have contained Oil of Carui, or oil of caraway seeds. This oil was used as a stomachic (to improve appetite and digestion), a carminative (to ease flatulence), or as a diuretic.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1991.0664.0461
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05610
collector/donor number
SAP 322
catalog number
1991.0664.0461.01
1991.0664.0461.02

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