Apothecary Bottle

18th century

This blown and molded square-shaped bottle has a narrow neck and a flared lip. The white baked enamel shield is framed by stylized blue leaves with yellow and red flowers. A yellow crown sits atop the shield. The jar is labeled with the alchemical symbol for Spirit, Tartar, and the letters <i>RI</i> in black. Tartar, also known as cream of tartar, or potassium bitartrate is a by product of the winemaking process, crystallizing from the must (juice, pulp, and skin of grapes) in the fermenting barrel. Tartar was used as a diuretic and as a cathartic.