Paris Late 18th Century - Apothecary - Ointment Jar - Lid And Decoration Of Snakes

PARIS - LATE 18TH CENTURY
Ointment pot
APOTHECARY

Cylindrical pot with its lid
Decoration of four intertwined snakes Knotted tails framing the phylactery

Ref. : 25/G/74

Tin-glazed earthenware with cream-white slip.
Upper frieze of small flowers.
4 cobalt green snakes + zinc.

Phylactery: "AXUNGIA MELLITIS".

AXUNGIA MELLITIS: fat mixed with honey or Honey Fat Ointment.
This is a soothing and healing ointment, prepared from melted animal fat, often lard, and pure honey,
sometimes with a little wax or resin added.
Emollient principle: Softens tissues and soothes skin inflammations.
Healing principle: Promotes skin regeneration and wound closure.
Soothing principle: Soothes burns, cracks, and chapped skin.
Historical context: Listed in the Pharmacopoea Parisiensis (1638)
as Axungia Mellita or Unguentum ex axungia and Melle confectum.
A common product in 17th and 18th-century pharmacies.
Stored in earthenware ointment jars, often small, marked: AXUNGIA MELLITIS or simply AXUNG. MELLIT.
Appearance: Light yellow to golden-brown ointment, soft texture.
Sweet honey scent mixed with fat.
Stored in a closed jar at room temperature.
This is one of the oldest "simple" ointments in the pharmacopoeia,
passed down from Antiquity (Pliny, Galen, Dioscorides) to 18th-century hospital pharmacies.

Height: 19 cm.

Good condition.
Minor chips on the neck.

Origin: Important collection of a passionate pharmacist.

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