ERYSIPELAT

Description:

This dark green blown glass jar has a wide mouth to accommodate dried plant material. The label is applied with the cold paint method. Unlike the enamel labels, there is no baking involved. Therefore it is not unusual to find the label has been badly scratched and suffered severe paint losses.

The decoration appears as an upside–down heart outlined in red with a stylized flower at the top. The label is marked in red and black with the alchemical symbol for powder and the text ERYSIPELAT. Eryspelas is a bacterial infection that results in skin lesions. The powder in this jar could have been used to treat the symptoms.

Date Made: 17th century

Location: Currently not on view

Subject: Pharmacy

Subject:

See more items in: Medicine and Science: Medicine, Health & Medicine, European Apothecary, Art

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Related Publication: 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: 1991.0664.0345Accession Number: 1991.0664Catalog Number: M-05494Collector/Donor Number: SAP 206Catalog Number: 1991.0664.0345

Object Name: jarOther Terms: jar; Pharmaceutical Container

Physical Description: glass (overall material)paint (overall material)Measurements: overall: 15 cm x 12.5 cm; 5 29/32 in x 4 29/32 in

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746aa-ab2e-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_993786

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.