Italian pharmacy vase, early C19 polychrome, perhaps Ligurian, used for powdered quinine
The Latin inscription in full painted on the front is Polvere China China, meaning “Quinine powder”. Quinine is used for pain relief and to prevent fevers and for a long time was the primary treatment for malaria. The earthenware dispensing pot has a lid to protect its contents and would have been used in a pharmacy to store or sell the powder.
Details
- Category:
- Medical Ceramic-ware
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A112537
- Materials:
- whole, pottery, polychrome
- Measurements:
-
overall: 221 mm 135.5 mm, .62 kg
- type:
- dispensing pot
- credit:
- Canney, V.