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Buy this image as a print
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LicenseSMG00231747
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Small albarello, tin glazed earthenware
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Small albarello, tin glazed earthenware, used for spermaceti cream, Barcelona, Spain, 1801-1830
Spermaceti is the oily substance from the head of a sperm whale. It was once used in large amounts as the base in medicinal ointments as well as cosmetics and moisturisers. A full-grown sperm whale may yield one tonne of spermaceti. However, because it is difficult to obtain the oil is very expensive. The jar used to store the oil is thought to be from Italy.
Details
- Category:
- Medical Ceramic-ware
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A42602
- Materials:
- earthenware (polychrome tin-glazed)
- type:
- drug jar
