Object Details
- Description
- This dark green blown glass jar has a wide mouth to accommodate dried plant material. The label is marked L SANCTI with the alchemical symbol for powder above. The label is applied with the cold paint method. Unlike the enamel labels, there is no baking involved. Therefore it is not unusual to find the label has been badly scratched and suffered severe paint loss.
- The decoration appears as an upside–down heart outlined in red with a stylized flower at the top. Lignum Sancti, also known as holy wood or guaicacum, consisted of the powdered leaves, resin, and wood from the Guiacum officiale tree. The powder had medicinal properties and was used as an antivenereal (curative for venereal diseases), a stimulant, and a cathartic.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Credit Line
- Gift of American Pharmaceutical Association and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
- 17th century
- ID Number
- 1991.0664.0348
- accession number
- 1991.0664
- catalog number
- M-05497
- collector/donor number
- SAP 209
- catalog number
- 1991.0664.0348
- Object Name
- jar
- Other Terms
- jar; Pharmaceutical Container
- Physical Description
- glass (overall material)
- paint (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 11.6 cm x 9.6 cm; 4 9/16 in x 3 25/32 in
- Related Publication
- Urdang, George and Ferdinand William Nitardy. The Squibb Ancient Pharmacy: A Catalogue of the Collection
- See more items in
- Medicine and Science: Medicine
- Health & Medicine
- European Apothecary
- Art
- National Museum of American History
- Subject
- Pharmacy
- Record ID
- nmah_993789
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746aa-a9fc-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
