TART TARTAR

17th-18th century

This square-shaped blown and molded glass apothecary jar has a baked enamel baroque-style blue and yellow cartouche on its front. It is labeled <i>TART TARTAR</i> in black, with the first letter in each word in red. Tartar, also known as cream of tartar, or potassium bitartrate is a byproduct of the wine making process, crystallizing from the pulp and skins of grapes called must, in the fermenting barrel. Tartar was used as a diuretic and as a cathartic.