Cylindrical Drug Jar

According to its painted label, this tall, narrow drug jar held "Persian philonium," named after the first-century B.C. physician Philon of Tarsus. To relieve pain, induce sleep, prevent miscarriages, and reduce the pain of hemorrhoids and of heavy menstruation, pharmacists offered this drug, made from such ingredients as opium, saffron, white pepper, pearls, and amber. Unsigned and undated pieces such as this drug jar were used daily in Renaissance pharmacies and households. Since they were easily broken and chipped with use, relatively few survive today. This drug jar is unusual both for its good condition and for its decoration of fruit and leafy arabesques on a light blue ground.