Printed from Woolley & Wallis

Description

A Delft apothecary or tobacco jar, 2nd half 18th century, the ovoid form painted in blue with an elaborate cartouche surmounted by a vase of flowers, inscribed 'Tonca', marked for The Ewer (de Lampetkan) pottery, a chip to the rim, 21.3cm.

Tonka beans are now a banned substance in many countries, but had a variety of occult and more mundane uses. Some believed that desires could be fulfilled by carrying around a bean until the wish came true and then burying or stamping on it.