SY D ABSINTI
National Museum of American History

SY D ABSINTI

ca 1600

ceramic (overall material)
National Museum of American History
CC0 — Public Domain
National Museum of American History

This syrup jar has an applied strap handle and a spout supported by an entwined strap. The round metal lid is not original to the container. The jar is decorated with cobalt blue scroll–like vines and stylized flora. Just below the spout is a blue, yellow, and white shield with a yellow lion standing on one hind leg. The escroll is inscribed in cobalt blue, <i>SY D ABSINTIO</i> which would have contained Absinthum, Absinthium or Syrup of Wormwood. Leaves and the tops of flowers of the wormwood plant were used to make this tonic, which was taken for a variety of stomach ailments and as a cure for intestinal worms.

🔒
Order museum-quality prints

Sign in to order prints, canvas, and more of this work. Browsing and full-resolution downloads stay free.