Philon Persicum

18th century

This waisted drug jar has a flared foot with a deep blue glaze over a white background. The jar is decorated with stylized flowers and leaves on the upper and lower shoulders. The label at the center of the waist is marked <i>Philon: Persicum:</i> The jar would have contained Philonium Persicum, Latin for Persian medicine. The preparation, named for Philon of Tarsus and prepared according to his recipes, would have contained opium, white pepper, saffron, rosewater, and a variety of aromatics. The preparation was used to stop menses or prevent miscarriages, relieve pain, and induce sleep. This jar belongs to a set of drug containers seen in objects 1991.0664.0589 through 1991.0664.0596.