VN DIFENSIVO
date: label: date made
content: 18th century
notes: label: Description
content: This blue and white albarello drug jar depicts two lions, each standing on one hind leg. They flank a cartouche, and support a crown in their front paws. The interior of the cartouche has a cross with the letter P at left, and on the right, the letter A. An escroll at the shoulder of the container is marked, "VN DIFENSIVO". The jar is very similar in style to the ones seen in objects 1991.0664.0669–.0673, but has an unglazed bottom. The jar would have contained Unguentum Defensivum, or defensive ointment. The ointment was composed of Dragon’s blood (red resin from several different types of trees) Armenian bole, rose oil, vinegar, and wax. The ointment was used to treat skin lesions and wounds.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: Italy
topic: label: Subject
content: Pharmacy
setName: label: See more items in
content: Medicine and Science: Medicine
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content: Health & Medicine
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content: European Apothecary
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content: Art
publisher: label: Related Publication
content: Urdang, George and Ferdinand William Nitardy. The Squibb Ancient Pharmacy: A Catalogue of the Collection
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Gift of American Pharmaceutical Association and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 1991.0664.0669
label: accession number
content: 1991.0664
label: catalog number
content: M-05881
label: collector/donor number
content: SAP 593
label: catalog number
content: 1991.0664.0669
objectType: label: Object Name
content: jar
label: Other Terms
content: jar; Pharmaceutical Container
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: ceramic (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 22.5 cm x 15 cm; 8 27/32 in x 5 29/32 in