Printed from Woolley & Wallis

Description

Two small delftware dry jug or pill jars 1st half 18th century, painted in blue with two birds flanking a basket of fruit above shaped banners and angel masks, one inscribed 'P:ÆTHEIOP', the other 'P:MATTHÆI', the latter with an old metal cover, small faults, 11.3cm max. (3)

Mercury pills were used as a treatment for syphilis, among other things. Matthew's Pills were marketed by Richard Matthews, an apothecary from Holt in Norfolk, and were an imitation of the earlier concoctions by George Starkey, being used in the treatment of mental illness.