In 2001 Dr. Charles Hahn donated a collection of apothecary jars of various designs and shapes to the Hawaii Medical Library. These 16th, 17th, and 18th century reproductions were imported from Italy and West Germany. Each reproduction is marked with a Latin inscription detailing the materia medica that would have been stored in the jar. Dr. Hahn also donated an illuminated, four-shelved cabinet with wood and glass doors for exhibit and storage.

A Brief History of Apothecary Jars & Pharmacies
Resources

	Aconitum		Adonis Vernalis		Adonis Vernalis
	Agaricvs		Calamvs Draco		Colchicum
	Convallaria		Gentiana Lvtea		Nvx Vomica
	Qvassia Amara		Rhamnvs Frangula		Tabl. Menthae (German)
	Valeriana Officinalis

A Brief History of Apothecary Jars & Pharmacies

Many of the jars in the Hahn Collection are identified as abarello, the oldest, most characteristic pharmacy jar shape. Origin of the word is unknown (maybe Arabic), but it is the generally accepted name for the apothecary jar. It is characterized by a cylindrical shape with concave sides curving inward toward the middle of the jar. A cover of leather or parchment could have been tied to the flanged neck. Lids were not made prior to the 18th century and even then they were never popular. Lined up along a shelf, with cloth covers tied around the rims, the apothecary could slip his hands between the tightly stacked jars, and lift down the one needed to prepare a 'prescription.' The slightly concave sides of the jars allowed a small space between jars for this purpose. Albarelli first became popular in Spain and Italy in the 1400’s and then throughout Europe. The form was used by apothecaries to store dense, syrupy substances, including fruit pulp and preserves, potions, lotions, dried medicinal drugs, and herbs, as well as cosmetics and perfumes. In general, all medicines had a variety of ingredients, from viper flesh to precious stones such as emeralds and pearls. The earliest apothecary jars were generally unlabeled so they could be reused for a variety of drugs. During the 15th century artists and potters began decorating jars with Latin inscriptions so that each was used for one kind of medicine, and by the next century this was regulated. As pharmacists gained status during this period, decorative art in pharmacies continued with the development of polychrome majolica (tin-glazed pottery). In the 15th-16th centuries, potters began using subjects drawn from nature or imagination, sometimes totally unrelated to the contents. Many of the jars in the Hahn collection illustrate this style. Today jars from this period are highly valued parts of museum and private collections.

Resources:

Articles & Books:

• "Apothecary Jars." Trent Associates Report [Duke University Medical Center] 8 (1). Summer 2000.
• Blumethal M, ed. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications, 2000. [CHIS Ref WB 925 H5336 2000]
• Boericke, William. Homeopathic Materia Medica, 9th ed. Homéopathe International; 1927.
• Castiglioni A. "Apothecary Jars in the Renaissance." Ciba Symposium 6 (12): 2061-2082. March 1945.
• Culpeper, Nicholas. The English Physitian. Medical Historical Library, Yale University; 1652.
• Grieve, M. A Modern Herbal. Botanical.com; 1931.
• Griffenhagen G, Bogard M. History of Drug Containers and Their Labels. Madison, WI: American Institute of History of Pharmacy, 1999.
• Pierce A. The American Pharmaceutical Association Practical Guide to Natural Medicines. New York: Stonesong Press, 1999. [CHIS Ref WB 925 P378a 1999]

Databases:

• Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Therapeutic Research Faculty, ©1995-2006.
• Plants for a Future. Plants For A Future, ©1996-2002.
  

Websites:

• Aboca Museum. Artifacts. Aboca, Italy.
• Herbs2000.com
• Henriette's Herbal Homepage. Index of Classic Herbal Texts. 1869-1936.
• J. Paul Getty Museum. Drug Jars. Los Angeles, CA.
• Kibler, Robert. Art 198 Image Gallery. Glendale College, CA: History of World Ceramics, Section 3: Europe.