VITAE

18th century

This blown and molded square-shaped bottle has a narrow neck and a flared lip. The baked white enamel shield is framed by stylized blue leaves with red and yellow flowers. A yellow crown sits atop the shield. The alchemical symbol for spirits is just above the word <i>VITAE</i> in black. <i>Spirits of life</i> could have referred to mercury, or to a variety of distilled spirits, including alcohol. The jar is illustrated on page 24 in the <i>Squibb Ancient Pharmacy Catalogue</i>.