Pharmacy Jar
Unknown Artist
early 1400s
Medium
Tin-glazed earthenware
Dimensions
Overall: 11 15/16 x 7 1/2 in. (30.4 x 19 cm)
Classification
Ceramics
Culture
Italian
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Fletcher Fund, 1946
Accession Number
46.85.8
Art Historical Context
This elegant *Pharmacy Jar* from 15th-century Italy offers a glimpse into the daily life of medieval apothec. Crafted during the late Medieval period, when Europe was bridging the gap toward the Renaissance, these vessels were essential for storing and dispensing medicines, herbs, and potions. Standing at nearly 12 inches tall, its practical shape—wide mouth and sturdy base—made it ideal for workshops where pharmacists mixed remedies, reflecting Italy's growing trade in pharmaceuticals amid flourishing urban centers like Florence and Venice. Made of tin-glazed earthenware, a technique known a...