An Italian maiolica albarello or pill jar c.1800

An Italian maiolica albarello or pill jar c.1800, the small dumbbell form inscribed in manganese with 'Mas: Pil: Martial: Calib' within bands of colourful flowers and a small cartouche enclosing a cross and the initials 'AS', some chipping, 14cm.

This jar was used to contain pills concocted from a number of ingredients, including iron oxide, which were used in the treatment of anaemia and dropsy.