OL PETERA

18th century

This blown and molded square-shaped bottle has an applied neck and flared collar. The clear glass is decorated with a white baked enamel cartouche on a blue background, framed by a yellow C scroll design and capped by a crown. George Urdang, author of <i>The Squibb Ancient Pharmacy Catalogue</i> attributes this bottle to the Court Pharmacy of Pillnitz. It is marked in red and black <i>OL PETERA</i>. The bottle would have contained Oleum Petera, or Peter’s Oil. Petra is Latin for rock, so this is rock oil, commonly known as petroleum. Petroleum was used as an antispasmodic, a liniment, and an expectorant.