This blue monochrome albarello is decorated with a vine and flora motif. Bands of cross-hatching are above and below the collars, and an scroll is inscribed with gothic script that reads BOL ARMNIC” The jar would have contained Armenian bole. Bole, or bolus (Latin for ball) were balls of clay with medicine mixed in that were either taken internally or applied externally to injured areas. Armenian bole would contain clay from Armenia that contained aluminum silicate and red iron.
Date Made: 1500 - 1599
Location: Currently not on view
Attributed To: Italy: Emilia-Romagna, Faenza
Subject: Pharmacy
Subject:
See more items in: Medicine and Science: Medicine, Health & Medicine, European Apothecary, Art
Exhibition:
Exhibition Location:
Related Publication: Drey, Rudolf E.A.. Apothecary Jars, Urdang, George and Ferdinand William Nitardy. The Squibb Ancient Pharmacy: A Catalogue of the Collection
Credit Line: Gift of American Pharmaceutical Association and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Data Source: National Museum of American History
Id Number: 1991.0664.0511Accession Number: 1991.0664Catalog Number: M-05723Collector/Donor Number: SAP 435Catalog Number: 1991.0664.0511
Object Name: jaralbarello
Physical Description: ceramic (overall material)Measurements: overall: 18.5 cm x 12.3 cm; 7 9/32 in x 4 27/32 in
Metadata Usage: CC0
Guid: https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a8-9e1a-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
Record Id: nmah_993512
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