Drug Jars
MakerMade by
Unknown
Dateabout 1815-1830
MediumMold-formed porcelain with gilding and overglaze enamels in purple, green, black, and red
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height including lid x diameter of each drug jar): 10 x 4 1/4in. (25.4 x 10.8cm)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineBequest of George Dudley Seymour
Object number1945.1.1395.1a,b-.3a,b
DescriptionGroup of three cylindrical, porcelain lidded drug jars with gilding and hand-painted enamels in purple, green, black, and red. Each drug jar (.a) is decorated with a shield-shaped gilded motif in the Empire, or late classical revival, style popular in the early part of the nineteenth century. Above the shield is a shallow purple enamel urn with two gilded snakes or Empire-style dolphins peering into each urn. To either side of the shield is a curved branch of green leaves and red berries. Below the shield is a red enamel bow. Inside the shield are Latin abbreviations in black enamel and a gilded motif below, consisting of two snakes wrapped around a pole, with wings emerging from the top of the pole. The Latin phrases found on each jar are as follows: jar .1, "EMPL:/ PLUMBI", jar .2, "EMPL:/ GALB:C:H:", and jar .3, "UNG:/ TABACI". There is a band of gilding below the rim, and two bands of gilding at the foot of each jar. Each jar also has a tall lid (.b) with a round finial at the top. The top of the finial is gilded, with an additional band of gilding below the base of the finial, and at the rim of each lid. The gilding on the jars and lids has worn slightly, while the gilding on the finials has worn more.
NotesSubject note: The Latin phrases found in the center of each shield are most likely abbreviations for the chemical compounds that were contained in each jar. The symbol below, a short rod entwined by two snakes and topped by a pair of wings, is the caduceus, or magic wand, of the Greek god Hermes (Roman Mercury). Many medical groups adopted the twin serpent caduceus of Hermes as a medical symbol during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. (Hunt 11/29/2004)Subject Note: Hermes/Mercury was the messenger of Zeus/Jupiter, leader of the Olympian gods. He was also a guide to travelers. His winged sandals (mirroring his winged caduceus) granted him speed for his journeys, and he could use his caduceus to induce sleep. (Hudson 1/11/2004)
Status
Not on view
