Terra Sigillata medicinal clay bowls

Description

These two bowls are made from Terra Sigillata (Sealed Earth) medicinal clay.
The mineral rich clay was believed during the Renaissance to have medicinal properties which enabled it to absorb poisons and ‘bodily impurities’. People believed that the medicinal properties of the clay would be absorbed into any liquid the bowl held.
In an early example of trademarking, one of the bowls is stamped with a seal indicating its place of origin, proving its authenticity and quality.

Fact

Terra Sigillata translates as ‘Sealed Earth’. As the clay was from the Greek island of Lemnos, it was also known as Terra Lemnia.