Articles
Paris porcelain pharmacy jar, inscriptions "SAPO ANIMAL:", with polychrome decoration of several small medallions including one with a snake coiled around a palm tree (one of the symbols of the Three Kingdoms of Nature*), from the 19th century.
This jar is in good condition, beautiful quality. The central decoration is embellished with other apothecary medallions with medicinal plants, insects, mortar.
Please note: some dirt and wear on the decorations and gilding, see photos.
* By using the symbol of the three kingdoms of nature accompanied by the motto "In his Tribus versantur" (literally "he takes care of the three"), apothecaries and then pharmacists asserted their area of expertise: the knowledge and mastery of natural drugs for the preparation of medicines. The ornamentation consists of a palm tree (plant kingdom) whose stipe is entwined by a snake (animal kingdom), which rises from rocky ground (mineral kingdom). This symbol was widely used to illustrate documents and vases, notably porcelain pharmacy jars from Paris throughout the 19th century.
(Excerpt from "The symbol of the three kingdoms of nature on the porcelain pharmacy jars of Paris" by Patrick Bourrinet
