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Pharmacy jar: C.2187-1928

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Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Potter: Unidentified Castel Durante potter (Probably)

Entities

Categories

Description

Tin-glazed and painted earthenware pharmacy jar, labelled `VNGTO D CERVSA'

Pale buff earthenware, tin-glazed on the interior and exterior; rim and base unglazed. Painted in thinly applied blue, green, yellow, and orange.Waisted albarello.
On the front there is an oval panel crossed by a label inscribed in blue `VNGTO D CERVSA', with above, the badge of a pharmacy: `d c B' joined and surmounted by a four-armed cross; and below, within a circle, three mounts and a cross flanked by the letters `.D.' and `.G.'. The rest of the main field is decorated with formal foliage and fruits. Round the lower part there are three horizontal blue bands and a yellow band; on the shoulder, slanting leaves between two sets of three horizontal blue bands; and round the rim, a yellow band. `L2/2' is incised into the base.

Notes

History note: Countess Howard de Walden; Thomas Sutton, Eastbourne, from whom purchased in February 1900 by Dr J.W.L. Glaisher.

Legal notes

Dr J.W.L. Glaisher Bequest

Measurements and weight

Diameter: 11.9 cm
Height: 22.0 cm

Acquisition and important dates

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

Dating

16th Century
Renaissance
Circa 1530 CE - 1560 CE

Note

Previously attributed to Faenza and Deruta. The jar held unguentum cerussa, white lead ointment. The `L' on the base is probably an indication of weight, standing for libbre (pounds).

School or Style

Renaissance

Components of the work

Decoration composed of high-temperature colours ( blue, green, yellow, and orange)
Base Diameter 10.1 cm
Rim Diameter 9.0 cm

Materials used in production

Tin-glaze
Earthenware

Techniques used in production

Throwing : Pale buff earthenware, tin-glazed on the interior and exterior; rim and base unglazed. Painted in thinly applied blue, green, yellow, and orange.
Tin-glazing

Inscription or legends present

  • Text: L2/2
  • Location: In the base
  • Method of creation: Incised
  • Text: VNGTO D CERVSA
  • Location: On side
  • Method of creation: Painted in blue
  • Type: Inscription

References and bibliographic entries

Related exhibitions

Identification numbers

Accession number: C.2187-1928
Primary reference Number: 79266

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Monday 25 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) "Pharmacy jar" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/79266 Accessed: 2025-12-06 10:38:28

Citation for Wikipedia

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/79266 |title=Pharmacy jar |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-06 10:38:28|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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