Agarico. Trociscato

The lower shoulder of this jar bears the inscription AGARICO. TROCISCATO. It would have held Agaricus Trochis, or agaric lozenges. Agaric is a type of fungus or mushroom, usually found at the base of trees. The lozenge would be made by combining the fungus with ginger and a gum substnace, and were used to treat excessive sweats associated with scrofula, also known at different points in history as consumption and tuberculosis. According to theDictionary of Protopharmacology, Agaricus is a fungus, Boletus igniarius which is used to stop bleeding.

This drug jar belongs to a series of jars 1991.0664.0525 through 1991.0664.0529 which are attributed to eighteenth century Savona. They have a white background decorated with blue vines and yellow flowers. The center contains a coat of arms framed by a yellow shield and topped by a knight’s helmet. The escutcheon has a radiant yellow star at the top, three horizontal yellow stars on a white background in the center of the shield, and a lower field of blue and yellow stripes. The initials G.C. are on the lower left side of the shield, and the initial E is positioned at the lower right side of the shield.

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