Pharmacy bottle

Unknown

ca. 1470–1500 · Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware) · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Vessels of this shape, with long, narrow necks, were designed to hold liquid preparations. In this example, the inscription shows that it was meant to contain water of the bugloss plant, once valued as an antivenom. Such labels first appeared on Italian pharmacy jars in the mid-1400s and became commonplace by the end of the century. The striking peacock-feather ornament helps trace the bottle’s manufacture to the town of Pesaro, where it was a favorite design.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1470–1500

Medium

Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware)

Culture

Italian, probably Pesaro

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, by exchange, 1965