LIQ TARTAR SOL

18th century

This square-shaped blown and molded glass apothecary jar is marked <i>LIQ TARTAR SOL</i> in black, with the first letter of each word in red. The apothecary jar would have contained a liquid tartar solution. Tartar, also known as cream of tartar, or potassium bitartrate, is a byproduct of the winemaking 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.