Wooden apothecary vessel for orpiment

Description

The presented wooden apothecary vessel with a cylindrical shape is covered with oil paint. The front features an oval shield with an inscription: Auri Pigment.(um) P.(ulvis), meaning pulverised orpiment, that is, according to modern nomenclature, arsenic trisulfide. In ancient times, orpiment was used as an agent for the treatment of skin cancers and other serious skin conditions. It was also believed that it exhibited disinfecting and astringent effects and that it accelerated healing of various serious wounds – it was used for treating fistulas and ulcerative wounds. Later, it was also used for preparing poisonous and magic potions, and above all, as a strong pigment. ID no.: KGZ 3863 Time of creation: 18th century Museum: The Museum of Pharmacy at the Jagiellonian University Medical College in Kraków https://muzea.malopolska.pl/en/objects-list/866 Digitalisation: RDW MIC, Virtual Małopolska project