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Catartico Imperiale
From the collection of National Museum of American History. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
This albarello has cobalt blue flowers and vines with yellowish–brown accents on a white background. During this early period of Italian majolica colors were generally limited to a rich cobalt blue, manganese and ochre. An escroll in the center of the container is inscribed with gothic lettering that reads <i>Catatiru Impiat.</i> The jar likely would have contained catartico Imperiale, a purgative electuary, or paste, which was made from scammony (bindweed), cardamom, and cinnamon.
National Museum of American History’s own descriptionCredit lineCatartico Imperiale. ca 1500. National Museum of American History, Gift of American Pharmaceutical Association and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. CC0.
