Terms and conditions of use
Spouted pharmacy jar
(1545-1560)
Medium
earthenware (maiolica)
Measurements
25.8 × 22.0 × 17.0 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1906
Gallery location
16th & 17th Century Gallery - Painting and Sculpture
Mezzanine linked to Level 1, NGV International
About this work
This jar with a spout in the form of a dragon was designed to hold red currant syrup for pharmaceutical use. The spout is flanked by a pair of portraits: a young woman in profile and an old man in three-quarter view. Profile portraits of young women were sometimes matched with portraits of men commemorating a marriage; however, a tradition also existed of satirical images of mismatched couples, especially beautiful young women with old, often ugly, men. The portraits on this jar echo this tradition of satire.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Castelli, Italy
Accession Number
600-D2
Department
International Decorative Arts
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Dame Carol Colburn-Grigor CBE through Metal Manufactures Limited
Physical description
Flat handle, curved spout, in shape of monster's neck and head, on front, two busts in two medallions.