Pharmacy Jar Or Albarello Palermo, Sicily, Italy Late 17th – Early 18th Century

PHARMACY POT or ALBARELLO 
Palermo, Sicily, Italy
Late 17th - early 18th century 
Earthenware 
H. 26; Diam. 15.5 cm

This Sicilian medicine jar, known as an albarello, is made of majolica in the shape of an albarelle: cylindrical, curved at the waist (to make it easier to grip) and with a shoulder at the beaded neck (to attach a ligature and close the container). It is entirely covered with polychrome decoration organized in two cartouches: one, on a blue background, is centered on a round medallion with a bust portrait of the Grim Reaper; the other, on a yellow ochre background, features the portrait of a bearded man wearing a hood. 
The upper and lower edges are animated by a frieze of yellow interlacing, framed in brown - typical of the region. 

Albarelli were prized by apothecaries and pharmacies, who used them to store ointments, medicinal plants and other powders, thanks to the non-porous properties of these containers.  

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON

Ref. :5190