Pharmacy jar/ Albarello (5) - Porcelain - Porcelain albareros

SET OF FIVE FUMED PORCELAIN PHARMACY JARS, DECORATED IN PORCELAIN ENAMEL AND GOLD

Spain, probably Sevillian production, late 19th century – early 20th century

An interesting set of five pharmacy or apothecary jars in glazed porcelain, composed of four large containers of the same series and a fifth smaller piece, with a different decoration but perfectly complementary within the set.

The four main jars have a cylindrical body on a molded foot, a domed lid with a spherical knob, garland and floral bouquet decorations in ochre and gold tones, as well as fine gold fillets on the lid, neck and base. Their fronts bear pharmaceutical and botanical inscriptions:

* GAMOSEPALO
* PAPAVER NIGRUM
* PAPAVER NIGRUM
* CARICA PAPAYA

To these is added an attractive smaller apothecary jar, approximately 13 cm high × 8 cm in diameter, also in white porcelain with a lid. It features a particularly striking heraldic-inspired decoration, with cobalt blue facing eagles, gold ornamentation and a central cartouche with the inscription “Dentijuste” in red. The lid is topped with a gold knob and also bears gold decoration around its edge.

The contrast between the small vessel, with strong graphic presence in blue, red and gold, and the four large jars with floral ornament makes the set an especially attractive display piece.

The four larger containers measure approximately 24 cm high × 13 cm in diameter, while the small specimen measures about 13 × 8 cm, as proportionally seen in the accompanying photograph.

One of the larger pieces retains a black-painted maker’s mark on the base. Based on form, materials and decoration, the set can provisionaly be placed within European production — probably Spanish and possibly Sevillian — from the late 19th or early 20th century, although the exact factory remains to be identified.

Condition: generally good, with wear and small losses on some gold fillets, light signs of use, superficial dirt and aging patina. Notwithstanding a more detailed physical inspection, the photographs form an integral part of the description.

Measurements:
Four large jars: approx. 24 × 13 cm each.
Small “Dentijuste” jar: approx. 13 × 8 cm.

A set with strong decorative and collectible presence, particularly interesting for collectors of antique pharmacy items, historic ceramics, curios cabinets or interior decoration.