ESS ASSA FOXTIDAE

17th-18th century

This blown and molded square–shaped glass bottle has a narrow neck and rounded shoulders. The white baked enamel label is framed by a Baroque–style blue and yellow cartouche. The label reads <i>ESS ASSA FOETIDAE</i> in black text, with the first initial of each word in red. Assafoetidae (asafetida) is the gum resin from a variety of plants belonging to the <i>ferula</i> genus. The Essence of Assafoetidae would have been used as an antispasmodic, an expectorant, or a diuretic.