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Albarello containing compound made from mastic

mh_2002_3_40_v1-cdm.jpg

Italian, Albarello containing compound made from mastic
Photo Credit: 

Petegorsky/Gipe 

mh_2002_3_40_v2-cdm.jpg

Italian, Albarello containing compound made from mastic
Photo Credit: 

Petegorsky/Gipe

mh_2002_3_40_v3-cdm.jpg

Italian, Albarello containing compound made from mastic
Photo Credit: 

Petegorsky/Gipe

mh_2002_3_40_v4-cdm.jpg

Italian, Albarello containing compound made from mastic
Photo Credit: 

Petegorsky/Gipe

Not On View
Unknown
Italian
Place made: 
Europe; Italy; Sicily
Albarello containing compound made from mastic, early 17th century
Earthenware; polychrome pigments with tin glaze (majolica)
Overall: 6 1/2 in x 4 1/8 in; 16.5 cm x 10.5 cm
Joseph J. Hammer Collection, Gift of Roy A. Hammer
MH 2002.3.40

This vessel is decorated with a playfully painted classical bust above a Latin inscription. The reverse displays an equally whimsical image of a smiling satyr. The inscription consists of the abbreviation pillole masticmor, indicating the jar was used to store pills made from mastic resin harvested from the Mediterranean tree/shrub Pistacia lentiscus and used for gastrointestinal conditions.