Albarello

Blue-and-white faience albarello with Pseudo-Kufic designs, Tuscany

An albarello (plural: albarelli) is a type of maiolica earthenware jar, originally a medicinal jar designed to hold apothecaries' ointments and dry drugs. The development of this type of pharmacy jar had its roots in the Middle East during the time of the Islamic conquests.

History

The etymology of the word is not clear. Some scholars argue that it derives from the Latin word "albaris" with the meaning of "whitish"^[1] while others criticize this interpretation because these jars were originally manufactured in wood.^[2]^[3] A piece of parchment would overlap the upper half of the jar in order to be affixed with a cord and properly seal the contents. The parchment was white, or bleached white, so that the contents of the jar could be written upon it.

Albarelli were brought to Italy by Muslim Arab traders, and the earliest Italian examples were produced in Florence in the 15th century. Albarelli were made in

pharmacies, and represented status and wealth. The jars were generally sealed with a piece of parchment or leather

tied with a piece of cord.

The maiolica potters' preoccupation with ornamentation and design is nowhere more in evidence than on albarelli during the Renaissance. Common design themes include floral motifs against a white background, to more elaborate designs such as portraits of a cherub or priest, and can include a label describing the contents of the jar. Specific styles of decoration are now associated with various Italian locations, including Florence, Venice, Gerace and Palermo in Sicily.

Literature

Henry Wallis: The Albarello, London 1904

blue and white Ming
, before 1600.

Albarello with head of a Turk, Faenza, 1555.
Albarello made in the workshop of Maestro della farmacia Mastroieni, Gerace, Calabria, c. 1650.^[4]
Reverse
Castel Durante, c. 1550-55 (
California Palace of the Legion of Honor
)