Drug Jar (Albarello)
c. 1550
Medium
Tin-glazed earthenware
Dimensions
H.: 15.6 cm (6 1/8 in.)
Classification
earthenware
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
25354
Art Historical Context
This elegant Drug Jar, known as an albarello, was crafted around 1550 by the renowned potteries of Castel Durante in Renaissance Italy. Standing just over six inches tall, the cylindrical form was designed for practical use in apothecary shops, where it stored dry herbs, powders, and medicinal compounds. Its tin-glazed earthenware surface, a hallmark of Italian maiolica, provided a smooth white ground ideal for colorful decoration, reflecting the period’s blend of utility and artistry. Castel Durante potteries were celebrated for their refined maiolica techniques, which involved applying a ti...