A rare Dutch Delft blue and white monogrammed apothecary urn

LATE 17TH CENTURY

Details

A rare Dutch Delft blue and white monogrammed apothecary urn
Late 17th century
(urnkan) the ovoid body decorated with an elaborate Laub und Bandelwerk cartouche upholding two peacocks separated by a fruitfilled basket, above a winged cherub's head holding a tassel, suspending floral garlands and the initials E.D.F., inscribed MITRIDATIUM.DAM., on pedestal base
22cm. (8 5/8 in.) high

Lot Essay

Cf. D.A. Wittop Koning, Delftse apothekerspotten (Deventer 1954), p. 50, whereby he states that it was very uncommon in Delft to apply initials or dates on jars, this was not the case on English Delftware

Mithridatium Damoctatis for polypharmaceutical preparation allied to theriaca devised by Mithridates, King of Pontus as an antidote against poisons, subsequently modified by Damocrates.

See illustration on page 68

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