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Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Earthenware dispensing pot, tin-glazed, 1750-1840
Dispensing pots were used to hold ointments, pills and medical treatments, although they could also be used for other materials such as cosmetics. A pharmacist or apothecary would make up a medicine and put it in a pot for the customer to take away. The contents were usually protected by a paper cover secured with string.
The pot has a blue tinted glaze and the words “BALS: DR: THORETON” are painted on the side. “BALS” is likely to be short for “balsam”, a soothing medical treatment. “DR: THORETON” was almost certainly the pharmacist.
Details
- Category:
- Medical Ceramic-ware
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A42934
- Materials:
- whole, earthenware (tin-glazed)
- Measurements:
-
overall: 82 mm 82 mm, 0.23kg
- type:
- dispensing pot
- credit:
- Sotheby's
