Drug jar, tin glazed earthenware, songbird motif, used for poppy conserve, English, 1670-1740

This drug jar has the label “C: PAP: ERR” which stands for Conserva Papaveris Erraticis, commonly known as “poppy conserve”. This opium-based preparation was used as pain relief and to induce sleep. It was also used to help treat pleurisy, an inflammation of the lining between the lungs and ribcage.

Drug jars have a number of different design motifs and decorative styles which can help date the objects. This relatively crudely executed design is typical of numerous English jars of the period. The winged cherub is a common feature and the jar also features a songbird motif in blue and white.