Drug Jar with Figures of the Apostles and a Coat of Arms

Due to required maintenance, some galleries and artwork may be off view. Learn more

Gallery 354a, European Art 1500-1850, third floor

Main Building

Drug Jar with Figures of the Apostles and a Coat of Arms

1657; lid dated 1658

Artist/maker unknown, German

Inscribed on front panel: IOHANN· / MAY·DOC / TOR·M·D· / ·ST·C·M· / 1657 (the abbreviations may stand for Medicinae Doctor, Stadt Coburg Medicinus)

Six-sided flasks—called Kruken—were a specialty of Creussen potters and were produced with rims for screw-top pewter mounts, as on this jar. The inscription on the front identifies its owner, Johann May, a doctor who was city physician of Coburg from 1655 to 1671. This suggests that the piece was used for pharmaceutical purposes, and reflects the geographic and social distribution of Creussen wares.

Gallery 354a, European Art 1500-1850, third floor

Object Details

Title:

Drug Jar with Figures of the Apostles and a Coat of Arms

Date:

1657; lid dated 1658

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, German

Medium:

Salt-glazed stoneware with slip decoration; pewter lid and foot

Dimensions:

Height: 14 7/16 inches (36.7 cm) Diameter: 8 9/16 inches (21.7 cm)

Classification:

Containers

Credit Line:

The Miss Elizabeth W. Lewis Collection, 1905

Accession Number:

1905-236

Geography:

Made in Creussen, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

We are always open to learning more about our collections and updating the website. Does this record contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Contact us here.

Please note that this particular artwork might not be on view when you visit. Don’t worry—we have plenty of exhibitions for you to explore.

Gallery 354a, European Art 1500-1850, third floor

Main Building

Museum map

More like this:

1/12