English Delftware Drug Jar: Fleur-de-Lys design, around 1670

Description

On the fleur-de-lys design of drug jar the contents label is formed by a thick wavy line, with a fleur-de-lys along the bottom in the centre. Three swags hang from the bottom of the label, often separated by pendant tassels. At each end of the label sprout stylised flowers.

The inscription ‘E:DE:OVO:’ on this dry drug jar shows it was used for storing Electuarium de Ovo, Electuary of Egg. This preparation was used as an antidote against poison and infection.
The jar was manufactured in London around 1670.

The fleur-de-lys design was used on English Delftware drug jars from around 1665-1690.

Fact

The Fleur-de-lys or fleur-de-lis is a stylized lily (in French, fleur means “flower”, and lis means “lily”) used as a symbol or decorative design.