Apothecary vessel for dragon resin

Description

The presented apothecary vessel with a cylindrical shape was made of wood and covered with black oil paint. The inscription: Sanguis Drac.[onis], literally meaning dragon’s blood. In reality, it is a red resin covering the fruits of a rattan palm tree (Daemonorops draco (Willd.) Blume). It is also obtained by cutting the bark and leaves of the dragon tree (Dracaena draco L.). Dragon blood was used as a red pigment to dye other medicinal preparations. ID no.: KGZ 745 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/852 Digitalisation: RDW MIC, Virtual Małopolska project