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ID #SA1214612
FOR SALE
£1,650
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Antique English Delftware Apothecary Wet Drug Jar S: Balsam Cherub & Shell C1740
For sale by Bushells Antiques
for sale €1,931     $2,096
£1,650
Bushells Antiques

Bushells Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Apr 2020
Browse dealers 282 items
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Antique English Delftware Apothecary Wet Drug Jar S: Balsam Cherub & Shell C1740

18th century
Description

18th-century English delftware wet drug jar is constructed from tin-glazed earthenware with a hand-painted cobalt blue decoration. It features a bulbous body supported by a spreading circular pedestal foot, an upright pouring spout, and a rear strap handle. The frontal decoration consists of a "Cherub and Shell" cartouche, where two winged putti are positioned on either side of a central shell motif. Below this, a winged cherub mask is centered between floral swags.

The central horizontal band is inscribed in blue block capitals with "S: BALSAM:", identifying the intended contents as Syrupus Balsamicus. This pharmaceutical vessel represents a standard form produced by London delftware potteries such as those in Lambeth or Southwark during the mid-1700s.

Approximate Size:

H: 18 x W:14 cm

Declaration

Bushells Antiques has dated this English Delftware Apothecary Jar to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1214612
Dealers Notes

Opening hours:

Monday - Sunday 8.30 - 21.00 Seven Days.

By appointment only.

UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED, FREE DELIVERY TO MAINLAND UK

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DISTANCE SELLING REGULATIONS : All items purchased from Bushell's Antiques are covered under the UK Distance Selling Regulations, which give all buyers the right to cancel the purchase within 7 working days after receipt of the item, for a full refund less RETURN transport costs.

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Description
18th-century English delftware wet drug jar is constructed from tin-glazed earthenware with a hand-painted cobalt blue decoration.
“
It features a bulbous body supported by a spreading circular pedestal foot, an upright pouring spout, and a rear strap handle.
Bushells Antiques

The frontal decoration consists of a "Cherub and Shell" cartouche, where two winged putti are positioned on either side of a central shell motif. Below this, a winged cherub mask is centered between floral swags.

fig 1. An 18th-century English delftware apothecary wet drug jar decorated in cobalt blue and white with a pouring spout, footed base, cherub motif, and the inscription S: BALSAM.
fig 1. Antique English Delftware Apothecary Wet Drug Jar S: Balsam Cherub & Shell C1740

The central horizontal band is inscribed in blue block capitals with "S: BALSAM:", identifying the intended contents as Syrupus Balsamicus. This pharmaceutical vessel represents a standard form produced by London delftware potteries such as those in Lambeth or Southwark during the mid-1700s.

Approximate Size:

H: 18 x W:14 cm

Date of Manufacture

Bushells Antiques has dated this English Delftware Apothecary Jar to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1214612
Bushells Antiques
Bushells Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Apr 2020

Fine art, porcelain, jewellery, silver, clocks, pictures, oriental objects d’art and furniture

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Bushells Antiques Profile Page

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An 18th-century English delftware apothecary wet drug jar decorated in cobalt blue and white with a pouring spout, footed base, cherub motif, and the inscription S: BALSAM.
1 / 7
Archive I An 18th-century English delftware apothecary wet drug jar decorated in cobalt blue and white with a pouring spout, footed base, cherub motif, and the inscription S: BALSAM.

Antique English Delftware Apothecary Wet Drug Jar S: Balsam Cherub & Shell C1740

Archive II An 18th-century English delftware apothecary wet drug jar decorated in cobalt blue and white with a pouring spout, footed base, cherub motif, and the inscription S: BALSAM. View II
Archive III An 18th-century English delftware apothecary wet drug jar decorated in cobalt blue and white with a pouring spout, footed base, cherub motif, and the inscription S: BALSAM. View III
Archive IV An 18th-century English delftware apothecary wet drug jar decorated in cobalt blue and white with a pouring spout, footed base, cherub motif, and the inscription S: BALSAM. View IV
Archive V An 18th-century English delftware apothecary wet drug jar decorated in cobalt blue and white with a pouring spout, footed base, cherub motif, and the inscription S: BALSAM. View V
Archive VI An 18th-century English delftware apothecary wet drug jar decorated in cobalt blue and white with a pouring spout, footed base, cherub motif, and the inscription S: BALSAM. View VI
Archive VII An 18th-century English delftware apothecary wet drug jar decorated in cobalt blue and white with a pouring spout, footed base, cherub motif, and the inscription S: BALSAM. View VII
Enlarged Archival View
Bushells Antiques

Bushells Antiques
Telephone 0800 049 6228
Location
Westminster
London
WC2H
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/bushellsantiques
Verified Since Apr 2020
Items For Sale 282
Items Sold 550
Bushells Antiques
Bushells Antiques
Verified Since Apr 2020
View Dealer Info
Location: Westminster, London, WC2H, United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/bushellsantiques
Verified
Apr 2020
For Sale
282
Sold
550
An 18th-century English delftware apothecary wet drug jar decorated in cobalt blue and white with a pouring spout, footed base, cherub motif, and the inscription S: BALSAM.
Antique English Delftware Apothecary Wet Drug Jar S: BALSAM Cherub & Shell c1740
Ref: SA1214612
An 18th-century English delftware apothecary wet drug jar decorated in cobalt blue and white with a pouring spout, footed base, cherub motif, and the inscription S: BALSAM.
Detail View 1
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Detail View 4
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectApothecary Jar
  • Period18th century
  • StyleGeorgian
  • MaterialTin-Glazed Earthenware, Cobalt Oxide
  • ColourBlue and White
  • MotifsCherub embellishment, Pouring spout, Pedestal foot, Cartouche inscription

This 18th-century English delftware wet drug jar takes a standard apothecary form made from tin-glazed earthenware with hand-painted cobalt blue decoration against a white ground. The bulbous body rises from a spreading circular pedestal foot and incorporates an upright pouring spout, a rear strap handle, and an open top. A frontal cartouche presents a "Cherub and Shell" design with winged putti flanking a central shell motif, while a winged cherub mask appears below amid floral swags. A central horizontal band carries the hand-painted blue inscription S: BALSAM in block capitals. Minor surface wear and glaze irregularities indicate age consistent with mid-1700s London production. Measuring 18 cm in height and 14 cm in width, this pharmaceutical vessel serves as a decorative display piece suited for placement on a bookshelf in a gentleman's library or study. The blue and white colour scheme coordinates easily with traditional bookshelves or cabinet interiors, providing a historical accent among antique books and curiosities. Collectors of early medical ceramics and apothecary items will find it fits well within cabinet displays dedicated to Georgian domestic history.

FAQs

Delftware wet drug jars are tin-glazed earthenware vessels produced primarily during the 17th and 18th centuries to store liquid medicinal mixtures, syrups, and oils in apothecaries.

These ceramic vessels were formed from low-fired earthenware clay, coated with an opaque white tin glaze, and painted by hand using cobalt oxide pigments prior to firing.

Authentic period delftware typically displays hand-painted brushwork, minor glaze crawling, pinholes from the kiln process, and buff earthenware exposed at points of minor glaze chipping.

Apothecary jars are frequently positioned on bookshelves, mantelpieces, or sideboard surfaces to act as historical focal points, contrasting against dark wood paneling or contemporary neutral backdrops.

Tin-glazed ceramics should be dusted gently using a dry microfibre cloth, keeping them free from water immersion and chemical detergents to protect unglazed areas and existing glaze chips.
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