Syrup jug, Northern Italy, 1801-1900

Made:
1801-1900 in Italy
maker:
Unattributed
Syrup jug, north Italian, C19 polychrome maiolica Syrup jug, north Italian, C19 polychrome maiolica

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Syrup jug, north Italian, C19 polychrome maiolica
Science Museum Group

Syrup jug, north Italian, C19 polychrome maiolica
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Syrup jug, north Italian, C19 polychrome maiolica, inscribed 'SYR:ALTH:FERN:' used for marshmallow or althaea syrup

This blue and white syrup jug is painted with ‘SYR:ALTH:FERN.’ It reveals the jug once held Fernelius’ syrup of marshmallow. This was devised by French physician Jean Françoise Fernel (1497-1558). Syrup of marshmallow was for ‘soothing the chest, easing expectoration...kidney ailments and calming burning urine.’ The jug is made of a fine Italian tin-glazed earthenware known as ‘maiolica’. The name is derived from the island of Mallorca and the material was introduced into Italy in the 1300s. It flourished throughout the 1500s and 1600s.

Details

Category:
Medical Ceramic-ware
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A112510
Materials:
whole, pottery, polychrome maiolica
Measurements:
overall: 230 mm x 150 mm
type:
syrup jar
credit:
Canney, V.