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Ung d althea
From the collection of National Museum of American History. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
This waisted drug jar has a flared foot and a deep blue glaze over a white background. The jar is decorated with stylized flowers and leaves on the upper and lower shoulders. The label at the center of the waist is marked, <i>Ung d althea.</i> The jar would have contained an ointment made from the Althaea, or marshmallow plant. The ointment was often taken from the roots of the plant and used as an emollient and demulcent (an oily substance to relieve a sore mucous membrane). This jar belongs to a set of drug containers seen in objects 1991.0664.0589 through 1991.0664.0596.
National Museum of American History’s own descriptionCredit lineUng d althea. 18th century. National Museum of American History, Gift of American Pharmaceutical Association and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. CC0.
