Doe and Hope

Description

In original condition, the pair of puce pink ground porcelain apothecary jars with white bandings having octagonal labels under glass (LUG) in Latin reading Sacchar Lactis (Lactose Sugar) and Maranta Opt (Arrowroot) with “Trademark Y G Co 70” to the bases, with original matching lids terminating in knop handles.

The condition of the vessels is excellent considering the age and fragility of the jars, the colours remaining superb and the labels under glass retaining their gilt bandings. There is some wear to the white bandings to the porcelain, commensurate with age, though there is a chip to the banding on one jar measuring around 3cms.

Saccharum lactis, or lactose sugar, is the major sugar in human and bovine milk and is important in the production of yoghurt and cheese though has side effects of fear of falling, and great physical exhaustion. Maranta Opt, commonly known as Arrowroot, was used in compounds for stomach mixtures and is a large perennial herb found in rainforest habitats. It has been suggested that the name comes from arrowroot's use in treating poison arrow wounds, as it draws out the poison when applied to the site of the injury.

Porcelain apothecary jars are pretty scarce, especially in this colour way (others in pink are known to be French), and as such these examples are of significant interest to not only collectors of medical history but also to those looking for a knockout decorative fix.