VISC QUERC

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 loss.

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, "VISC QUERC" and the alchemical symbol for powder above the label. Viscum Quercinum is Latin for oak mistletoe. This jar would have contained powdered oak mistletoe, used as an antispasmodic, tonic, and narcotic.

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: 1991.0664.0346Accession Number: 1991.0664Catalog Number: M-05495Collector/Donor Number: SAP 207Catalog Number: 1991.0664.0346

Object Name: jarOther Terms: jar; Pharmaceutical Container

Physical Description: glass (overall material)paint (overall material)Measurements: overall: 16.7 cm x 12.5 cm; 6 9/16 in x 4 29/32 in

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746aa-cc87-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_993787

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