17th C. Western European Pottery Apothecary Jars (pr)

Western Europe, ca. 17th century CE. A gorgeous pair of pottery vessels, known as maiolica, glazed in tones of blue atop a creamy white ground. The taller of the 2 is known as an albarello and features a circular foot, a towering body with a corseted midsection, a brief, narrow neck, and an annular, flared rim. The body of the gorgeous vessel is adorned with the image of a nun dressed in a robe, veil, and cape as she kneels with her arms spread and tilts her head. Surrounded by lovely floral motifs, the ascetic figure is embellished by hues of black and light brown. Below her is the inscription, "Sat. Mayl. Asecola." Alternatively, the second vessel exhibits a squat form with a round bottom, a tubular midsection, a bulbous shoulder, and a flared rim, all sitting upon an applied discoid foot. A thick band inscribed with "Ung. Apostolor." divides the vessel in half, while the top and bottom are decorated with a beautiful pastoral design, featuring a cherub above the script and a farmhouse below. The inscription is short for Apostles' Ointment, also known as dodecapharmacum or Ointment of Venus, which was credited to Avicenna (d. 1037 CE) and comprised of 12 ingredients: turpentine, wax, gum ammoniac, birthwort roots, olibanum, bdellium, myrrh and galbanum, opoponax, verdigris, litharge, plus olive oil, and vinegar. Size (of largest): 4.375" in diameter x 9.75" H (11.1 cm x 24.8 cm)

Provenance: private Pasadena, California, USA collection

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#164683
Condition Report: Base of smaller is inscribed "BrL" with a symbol, possibly a maker's mark. Larger repaired from several pieces with break lines visible. Metal wire on bottom of larger form repair. Some minor areas of loss and restoration along break lines. Chips and small losses to peripheries of base and rim, as well as abrasions to base. Smaller repaired from at least 4 pieces with restoration over break lines. Both have some nicks in areas. Otherwise, both are very nice with light earthen deposits and impressive remaining pigments.