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Spouted pharmacy jar: C.1328-1928

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An image of Spouted pharmacy jar
An image of Spouted pharmacy jar
Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Pottery: unidentified London pottery (Probably)
Pottery: Brislington Pottery (Possibly)

Entities

Categories

Description

Tin-glazed earthenware painted in blue below the spout with a ribbon bearing the drug name MELL: ROSA with below the initials and date H.H./1662

Buff earthenware tin-glazed and painted in blue. The jar has globular body with everted mouth, a short applied spout, and a strap handle wihich is grooved on the exterior and has a slight terminal. It stands on a hollow conical foot. The front bears a ribbon label inscribed ‘MELL.ROSA’ with below, ‘H.H/1662’

Notes

History note: Mr John Bowden, Wardour Street, London from whom bought for £4 or £5 in about 1898 by Dr J.W.L. Glaisher, FRS, Trinity College, Cambridge

Legal notes

Dr J.W.L. Glaisher Bequest

Measurements and weight

Height: 19.4 cm
Height: 7 5/8 in

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (1928-12-07) by Glaisher, J. W. L., Dr

Dating

17th Century, third quarter
Charles II
Production date: dated AD 1662

Note

The drug name is short for Mel Rosaceum or Mel Rosae (Honey of Roses), `which was used as a gargle for sore throats

People, subjects and objects depicted

Components of the work

Decoration composed of cobalt ( pigment derived from cobalt oxide)
Visible Surfaces composed of tin-glaze
Foot Diameter 9.4 cm Diameter 1 11/16 in
Body
Handle

Materials used in production

buff Earthenware

Inscription or legends present

  • Text: MELL: ROSA
  • Location: On front below spout
  • Method of creation: Painted in blue
  • Type: Inscription
  • Text: H H/1662
  • Location: Below label
  • Method of creation: Painted in blue
  • Type: Inscription

References and bibliographic entries

Related exhibitions

Identification numbers

Accession number: C.1328-1928
Primary reference Number: 71820
Old object number: 987

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Tuesday 26 March 2024

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Applied Arts

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2025) "Spouted pharmacy jar" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/71820 Accessed: 2025-12-05 08:51:03

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/71820 |title=Spouted pharmacy jar |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-05 08:51:03|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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