Blue earthenware storage jar with paper cover

Roughly glazed blue earthenware jar with newspaper cover, containing unidentified materia medica, probably from Middle or Far East, 1801-1920

Stored inside this earthenware jar are unidentified medical treatments or ingredients. They are likely made from plants and other natural products. Such jars once filled a Middle Eastern pharmacy. The jar’s contents are protected using an age-old technique of a parchment or vellum cover tied with string. An Arabic newspaper has been used in this case.