Pharmacy albarello, 17th–18th century

Pharmacy albarello dating between the late 1600s and early 1700s, produced by the Gentili workshop of Castelli, attributable to Giacomo Gentili il Vecchio (Castelli 1668–1713). 31 cm (12.2 in) h x 22.5 cm (8.86 in) max diameter.

The allegorical figure of the “Reasonable and blessed soul” represents a beatified nun and is derived from an engraving in the renowned treatise Iconologia (1603 edition), written by Cesare Ripa and first published in Rome in 1593. The albarello was part of a pharmaceutical set, possibly monastic; the inscription Mel Ros at the base indicates the content, a medicinal syrup. The floral decorations resemble those on an albarello preserved in the Atri Cathedral Museum (with Franciscan coat of arms) and another example of ancient Castelli maiolica held at the Acerbo Museum of Ceramics in Loreto Aprutino.

Bibliography: i) V. Franceschilli, Le antiche ceramiche d’Abruzzo nel Museo Capitolare di Atri, Roma, 1976; ii) Giuliana Gardelli, L’Antica Ceramica da Farmacia di Castelli a cura di M. R. Proterra, Belriguardo, 2004; iii) Museo Capitolare di Atri, Atti 9° convegno di studio “Gaetano Bindi” sulla maiolica di Castelli, 22 aprile 2006.

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