albarelli

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  10. albarelli
Scope note
Refers to distinctive drug jars produced primarily in the Middle East, Spain, and Italy, generally between the 15th and 18th centuries. They were used to hold ointments and dry powders for medicinal use or for pigments for painting. They are typically around 7 or 8 inches tall, are often made of maiolica or faience, and are cylindrical in shape, but with concave or incurved sides to enable easy grasping; they are typically wide-mouthed for easy access. They occasionally have close-set handles, but were not intended to hold liquids and, therefore, do not have spouts, lips, handles, or convex forms. They typically do not have lids; instead, a piece of paper or parchment was tied around the rim to cover for the jar.
albarelli
Accepted term: 29-Apr-2024