Eight painted wooden dry drug jars in the form of neoclassical lidded urns, each cover with a turned circular finial, the body with turned ring decoration inscribed below with the...
Eight painted wooden dry drug jars in the form of neoclassical lidded urns, each cover with a turned circular finial, the body with turned ring decoration inscribed below with the name of the drug in a painted scrolling cartouche, the interior painted in pale blue, on a turned circular spreading foot and square base. They are labelled as: ARISA, ATROPA, CAMPIS, DATURA, DIOICA, MARIANO, RAFANO and ROBINA.
The medicinal and culinary uses of such plants were many and varied, and their uses often based on anecdotal rather than scientific evidence. The common names and medicinal uses for some of the plants are as follows:
ARISA - a type of anthurium - known as laceleaf
ATROPA - deadly nightshade - was used as a sedative and pain reliever and in Italy was utilised by women to enlarge their pupils to appear more attractive (hence its other name Belladonna).
CAMPIS - trumpet vine
DATURA – Datura Stramonium or Thornapple in sufficient quantities can cause hallucinations and was used to treat insanity
DIOICA - stinging nettle - has been used to treat a wide range of disorders including gastrointestinal and urinary issues, flu, gout and rheumatism
MARIANO - milk thistle - used to treat problems associated with the liver
RAFANO – horseradish – used mainly as a diuretic
ROBINA - probably robinia, known commonly as acacia
Turned wooden apothecary jars were usually made from boxwood or linden wood and used to store dried herbs and leaves. They were eventually superseded by ceramic and glass jars.
Pinto writes: 'Old drug jars available for collectors are mostly in various forms of glazed pottery. Wooden survivals are very rare and nearly always of continental make. Originally they were boldly and attractively labelled and the style of writing and form of labels sometimes give a clue to dates...The name of contents was sometimes sign-written on a shield directly painted on the jar...' (Edward H. Pinto, Treen and other wooden bygones, Bell & Hyman, 1969, p. 12).