Lot 28
28
A PAIR OF LONDON DELFT BLUE AND WHITE WET DRUG-JARS
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A PAIR OF LONDON DELFT BLUE AND WHITE WET DRUG-JARS

CIRCA 1665

Details
A PAIR OF LONDON DELFT BLUE AND WHITE WET DRUG-JARS
CIRCA 1665
Of large size, the squat globular bodies with a short spout and grooved loop handle, named for S:NYMPHAE AE: and S:DIACODION on strapwork labels flanked by 'Man Smoking Pipe' ornament, with a 'Green Man' mask below, flaking and chips to rims and handles, the second with a slight crack below the spout
8 in. (20.4 cm.) high max. (2)
Provenance
Anonymous sale Sotheby's London, 8th January 1974, lots 19 and 20.
Acquired from Jellinek & Sampson Antiques, 9th January 1974.
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

Another example of this rare type was sold Christie's, London, 1st June 1987, lot 12. Three dated examples of 1652 (the earliest known dated drug-jar) and 1665 are recorded by Louis L. Lipski and Michael Archer, Dated English Delftware, London, 1984, nos. 1595, 1612 and 1612 A. See also J. K. Crellin, Medical Ceramics in the Wellcome Institute, London, 1969, pp. 17 and 18, Figs. 10-12. S:Nymphae refers to white water-lily, used for stomach complaints and urethritis, and S: Diacodion is made from poppy-heads and other ingredients.

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