Maiolica Pharmacy Jar

A broad oviform maiolica pharmacy jar. It is painted in strong foliate design with acanthus leaves and flowers, large and small white flowers and berries, in blue, purple, yellow, green, brown and white. There is an escutcheon on the front bearing the letters IHS with a cross and three nails surrounded by straight and wavy lines. Around this there is the inscription Societas Iesu [Society of Jesus]. Below the crest and inscription are the words Oximel Sinp, in a decorative white band. Oximel simplex was a mixture of honey and vinegar. Possibly one of a group of drug-jars made for the Jesuit pharmacy at Novellara, Reggio Emilia, Italy.