English Delftware Drug Jar: Ribbon Cartouche design, 1658

The ‘ribbon cartouche’ design was produced on drug jars from 1655-1670, around the same time as the ‘pipe-smoking man’ design.
The cartouche enclosing the contents label takes the form of a ribbon, with ends similar to a swallow’s tail.

The contents label on this wet drug ‘S:DE:ALTHAEAE R:D 1658’ reveals the jar was used for storing Syrupus de Althaeae, Syrup of marshmallow.
R.D. are the initials of apothecary who commissioned the jar.
The jar was manufactured in London in 1658, possibly at the Pickleherring pottery, Southwark.

Take Marsh-Mallow Roots (ounce) ii. of Grass, Asparagus, Liquorise, Roots and Raisins ston’d, ana (ounce) ss. Leaves of Marsh-Mallows, common Mallows, Pellitory of the Wall, Pimpernel, Saxifrage, Plantain, white and black Maiden-hair, ana m.i. red Chiches (ounce) i. The four greater and lesser cold Seeds, ana (drachm) iii. Boil them in a Sufficient quantity of Water, strain the Liquor out hard and boil it up when clarify’d into a Syrup, with (pound) iiiss. of white Sugar.