OLIBAN

19th Century

This conical–shaped wooden drug jar and lid has an ivory–colored shield outlined in black. The wood is slightly warped and the lid does not separate from the container. The interior of the shield is marked, "OLIBAN:” in black paint. Olibanum—also known as frankincense—is a yellow–brown resin from the Boswellia Scara tree. Known for millennium in the Middle East, Oliban is still used as incense in religious ceremonies and as an ingredient in perfumes. As a medicine, it was used as a stimulant to promote sweating. It was also used as a laxative.