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88. A Portuguese faïence albarello, late 17th century, of tall waisted form, painted in blue with a diagonal cartouche inscribed ‘S. ACETOS’, within a simple scroll design, some damages, 24cm. £400-600 In this instance the term ‘Acetos’ probably refers to Rumex Acetosa (Common Wood Sorrel) which has a variety of culinary and medicinal uses.
89. A French faïence albarello, late 18th century, Paris or Rouen, the large cylindrical form painted in green, yellow and black with two snakes entwining around narrow branches, flanking the inscription ‘Nitraec Potassae’, restored, 26.7cm. £350-450 Compound of potassium continues to have a variety of uses, not all medicinal, but helps to combat high blood pressure.
90. An Italian maiolica berettino albarello, dated 1592, of dumbell form, painted in blue with a scrolled cartouche inscribed ‘diapenidion’, within scrolling leaf tendrils on a pale blue ground, beneath the banner with the initials CG either side of a lion rampant above a single green leaf, restored to the base, 21.5cm. £400-600 Penidium was made by melting sugar over a low heat and drawing it out into strands. Now more commonly known as Barley Sugar, it was used as a form of cough sweet. Cf. Victoria and Albert Museum, Accession No. 5402-1859, for a very similar example dated 1593 and notes attributing such jars to Rome.
91. A Savona maiolica albarello, 1st half 18th century, of dumbell form, inscribed in blue with ‘ Car do Santo’ between stylized floral borders, a short rim crack, 18.5cm. £250-350 The inscription probably refers to Carduus Sanctus or Blessed Thistle, used as a digestive stimulant or purifying tonic.
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92. A Sicilian maiolica apothecary bottle, c.1700, the globular body painted with a large flowerhead amidst scrolling leaves, picked out in green, yellow and white on a blue ground, the straight neck rising to a swollen rim, a little restoration to the rim, 22cm. £300-400