Maiolica drug-jar (albarello)

A pharmacy jar or albarello in maiolica, cylindrical in shape and slightly tapered in the centre. It is narrowed at the foot and at the neck with an everted rim. The albarello shape is of Islamic origin and was popularised in Italy during the 15th century. It is decorated with floral motifs in blue and is inscribed: COMM 7 or (s), in the centre. It possibly contained dry ground or powdered cumin,…