Albarello, c. 1450. The albarello —a name of uncertain origin—was a pharmacist's jar used to hold dried herbs or medicinal compounds. It was usually closed by means of a piece of parchment or cloth stretched over its mouth and tied with a string. Its characteristic concave sides offered an easy grip to facilitate handling. This large albarello is one of the best of a small number of exquisitely decorated blue-and-white pieces produced in Tuscany in the mid-1400s.

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Photo credit: © Heritage Images / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 15th, art, century, ceramic, cleveland, earthenware, heritage, italy, maiolica, museum, tin-glazed, tuscany, unknown