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Spouted pharmacy jar: C.1353-1928

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An image of Spouted pharmacy jar
Current Location: Gallery 27 (Glaisher)

Maker(s)

Pottery: unidentified London pottery (Probably)
Pottery: Unidentified Bristol pottery (Possibly)

Entities

Categories

Description

Tin-glazed earthenware painted in blue and labelled O.SAMBUCIN (Elderflower Oil)

Buff earthenware, thrown with applied handle and spout, tin-glazed and painted in blue. Of cylindrical form with rounded shoulders and lower part, contracting inwards to the slightly spreading base, and having a short neck with an everted rim. A short cylindrical spout with a bulge in the middle projects from the shoulder, and on the opposite side there is a loop handle with a longitudinal depression on the exterior, and upward tilting terminal. The front is decorated with a label inscribed 'O. SAMBUCIN' (Elderflower Oil) surrounded by scrolled strapwork, with above, a basket of fruit flanked by birds and leafy branches, and below a winged cupid's head, tassels and floral swags.

Notes

History note: Mr Withers, 42 Silver Street, Leicester, from whom purchased about 1899 by Dr J.W.L. Glaisher, FRS, Trinity College, Cambridge

Legal notes

Dr J. W. L. Glaisher Bequest

Measurements and weight

Height: 17.5 cm

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (1928-12-07) by Glaisher, J. W. L., Dr

Dating

18th Century, first half
Anne
George I
George II
Circa 1700 CE - Circa 1750 CE

Note

Probably made in London or Bristol. The jar contained Oleum Sambucinum or Oil of Elder made by infusing elder flowers in olive oil.

School or Style

Baroque

People, subjects and objects depicted

Components of the work

Decoration composed of high-temperature colour ( blue from cobalt)
Visible Areas composed of tin-glaze
Body

Materials used in production

buff Earthenware

Inscription or legends present

  • Text: O. SAMBUCIN
  • Location: On front below spout
  • Method of creation: Painted in blue
  • Type: Inscription

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: C.1353-1928
Primary reference Number: 71858
Old object number: 1034

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Tuesday 30 April 2024

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Applied Arts

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2025) "Spouted pharmacy jar" Web page available at: https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/71858 Accessed: 2025-12-05 20:27:55

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{{cite web|url=https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/71858 |title=Spouted pharmacy jar |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-05 20:27:55|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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