Drug jar for cinchona bark

Tin glazed earthenware pharmacy vase, decorated with apostles and for cinchona bark, Castelli ?, Italian, 1701-1730

This earthenware jar was used to store cinchona bark. Cinchona was used to prevent heavy bleeding and diarrhoea but is better known as a source of quinine. The active ingredient of cinchona bark, quinine was used for pain relief and to prevent fevers but was primarily a treatment for malaria.

The jar is painted with the figures of the Christian Apostles (the twelve original followers of Jesus) and is believed to be from the Castelli region of Italy.