Jar, Elec. Rosal Sol

16th century

This wide mouthed waisted drug jar has a yellow square border that frames a scene with a monk kneeling in prayer in front of a tree. The jar bears the text <i>Elect. Rosat. Sol.</i> The jar would have contained Electuary Rosatus Solutivus, a solution made from rose petals and sweetened with the addition of sugar. The solution was used as an aperient, or appetite stimulant. In a letter dated 7 October 1983, pharmaceutical historian and author Dr. D. A. Wittop Koning speculates that this drug jar is probably not authentic.