English and European Ceramics and Glass - 2nd May 2018
Lot 255
An early delftware dry drug or pill jar c.1680
Estimate £800 - £1,200 | Hammer £2200
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Description
An early delftware dry drug or pill jar c.1680, painted in blue with an angel with outstretched wings above a banner inscribed 'P: EX: DUOBUS', the glaze degraded, 9.6cm high.
The surface of the glaze suggests that this jar has been submerged in water for some time and may have come from a shipwreck. It contained purgative pills prepared from colocynth and scammony, which would have been used to treat a broad range of conditions, probably to little effect.