Albarello (drug bottle): Achilles and Penthesilea
Albarello (drug bottle): Achilles and Penthesilea
Albarello (drug bottle): Achilles and Penthesilea
Albarello (drug bottle): Achilles and Penthesilea

On view

European Art

Albarello (drug bottle): Achilles and Penthesilea,

1500–30

Italian
y1956-123
These drug jars are thought to be from Deruta, a town in Central Italy renowned for ceramic production. The bottles were used for pharmaceutical products—the one with Hercules and Deianira contained agrimony, an anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, and astringent, while the one with Achilles and Penthesilea contained psyllium seeds, a laxative. Apothecaries could be versed in humanist studies as well as medical arts, so the owner of these bottles may have specified the appropriate myth for the vessel that would hold each product.

Information

Title
Albarello (drug bottle): Achilles and Penthesilea
Dates

1500–30

Medium
Glazed earthenware
Dimensions
h. 47.5 cm, diam. 27 cm (18 11/16 x 10 5/8 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Stanley Mortimer, Class of 1919
Object Number
y1956-123
Place Made

Europe, Italy, Deruta

Inscription
Inscribed on side: A. Plantaginis Scratched on bottom: 5558
Culture
Italian
Type
bottles, albarelli, ceramics
Materials
earthenware, glaze
Subject
floral patterns, mythology, ocher (color), yellow, blue

Stanley Mortimer; 1956 gift to Princeton University Art Museum.

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