This beautiful pair of 19th century French porcelain apothecary jars exemplifies the artistry and craftsmanship of early pharmacy containers. Each jar features a slightly domed lid with a round finial, delicately highlighted with gilt accents. The bodies are hand-painted with rich polychrome decoration, including palm trees, medical caduceus symbols, and stylized serpents entwined around classical columns—traditional emblems of medicine and healing.
The jars are inscribed with their original Latin labels: CONS: TAMAR: (Conserve of Tamarind) and EXT: PAPAV: (Extract of Poppy), both once commonly used in apothecaries for medicinal remedies. Their elegant design combines functionality with refined decoration, making them as decorative as they are historic.
These jars would have originally been displayed in a 19th century pharmacy, both as storage vessels and as visible markers of important remedies. Today, they make striking decorative pieces for collectors of antique medical instruments, French porcelain, or those seeking a refined accent for an interior.