Blue and white majolica pharmacy vase, ornate snake handles, decorated with scenes of the Circumcision and 3 devil's heads, used by the Order of Minimes by Grosso, Albiola, Italy, 1730-1750
This pharmacy jar is illustrated with scenes of a circumcision and three devils’ heads. Entwined snakes form the handles. The large jar, measuring 660 mm in height, was used and owned by the Order of Minims (or Minimes), a Christian religious order for men founded in 1435. Religious orders were one of the main sources of medical care for the poor in Europe.
Details
- Category:
- Medical Ceramic-ware
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A631895
- Materials:
- pottery, blue on white
- Measurements:
-
overall: 680 mm x 482 mm 335 mm, 14 kg
- type:
- drug jar
- credit:
- Loan, Wellcome Trust