Drug jar for Theriac, Italy, 1701-1800

Made:
1701-1800 in Italy
Ornate tin glazed earthenware albarello, used for theriaca Ornate tin glazed earthenware albarello, used for theriaca

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Ornate tin glazed earthenware albarello, used for theriaca
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Ornate tin glazed earthenware albarello, used for theriaca
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Ornate tin glazed earthenware albarello, used for theriaca, Italian, 1701-1770

This is a drug called theriac, a thick sticky liquid medicine (called an electuary) made from up to 64 often strange and exotic ingredients – the flesh of snakes was considered one of the more vital. Originally it was used to treat poisoning and animal bites. The name ‘theriac’ is from the Greek therion, a “wild or venomous animal”. Galen recommended the treatment for snake bites. It later became a universal cure for a range of illnesses and diseases and was still in use up until the 1770s.

Details

Category:
Medical Ceramic-ware
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A43083
Materials:
earthenware (tin glazed)
Measurements:
overall: 470 mm 245 mm, 4.98 kg
type:
drug jar