Apothecary jar (albarello)
Unknown Artist
ca. 1480
Medium
Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware)
Dimensions
Height: 13 1/16 in. (33.2cm)
Classification
Ceramics-Pottery
Culture
Italian, probably Faenza
Department
Robert Lehman Collection
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
Accession Number
1975.1.1051
Art Historical Context
This elegant apothecary jar, known as an *albarello*, hails from Italy around 1480, likely in Faenza—a renowned hub of maiolica production during the Renaissance Standing at just over 13 inches tall, its distinctive cylindrical form with a flared foot and neck was designed for practical storage in pharmacies, allowing jars to stack securely while displaying labels for medicinal contents like herbs, ointments, or spices. Part of the Robert Lehman Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, piece exemplifies everyday Renaissance luxury, blending utility with artistry. Maiolica, or tin-glazed ...