Albarello vase, Italian, C16 from Faenza, polychrome maiolica, used for laxative rose syrup, fine example

The abbreviated Italian inscription Sciroppo Rosato Solutivo translates into English as “Laxative Syrup of Roses”. The syrup was made by heating 5 lb (2.6 kg) of pale roses and 4 lb (2.6 kg) of sugar to treat fevers and purge bile from the body – it acted as a laxative. The mixture was probably taken as a drink or by the spoonful and would have been very sweet.