E MITHRID: DAMO

18th century

This cylindrical straight walled drug jar has a glazed white background and a blue cartouche. A basket of fruit sits atop the cartouche and is flanked by two peacocks. The center of the cartouche is marked, <i>E/ MITHRID: DAMO".</i> Mithrid Damo is probably Mithridate a mixture of fifty or more ingredients, and was used as an antidote for poisons. It was named for Mithridatre VI King of Pontus (134-63 BCE), who was supposed to have invented the concoction to protect himself from being poisoned by his enemies.