Leech jar, England, 1831-1859

Made:
1831-1859 in Burslem
maker:
Samuel Alcock and Company
Pharmacy leech jar, ornate blue gilt earthenware Pharmacy leech jar, ornate blue gilt earthenware Pharmacy leech jar, ornate blue gilt earthenware

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Pharmacy leech jar, ornate blue gilt earthenware
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Pharmacy leech jar, ornate blue gilt earthenware
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Pharmacy leech jar, ornate blue gilt earthenware
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Pharmacy leech jar, ornate blue gilt earthenware, by Alcock at Hill Pottery, Burslem, English, 1831-1859

Leeches were stored in this jar in a pharmacy before being sold to physicians for bloodletting, once a popular therapy believed to cure a range of conditions. Leeches are a type of worm which have a front sucker that draws blood from the body. They were collected from river beds by women. Demand was so great that by the 1830s supplies were running short. Today, leeches are used to reduce swelling following reconstructive surgery.

The jar was made by Samuel Alcock & Co, a pottery manufacturer based in Stoke-on-Trent, England.

Details

Category:
Therapeutics
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A43107
Materials:
earthenware and complete
Measurements:
overall: 510 mm x 245 mm x 220 mm, 4 kg
weight: 4kg
weight: 8.81854lbs
type:
leech jar