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This image shows some of the purely decorative embellishments popular on the 'show' jars visible in apothecary shops of the 19th century. Some of the decorative elements also use symbols linked to the history of medicine or pharmacy.
The Greeks called her Hygieia. The Romans called her Salus. She was the daughter of Aesculapius, the god of medicine. On ancient Roman coins, Salus is often depicted with a snake along one arm.
Hygieia was often associated with the continuation of good health. This detailed section measures approximately one inch across.
A Mariner's cross (a stylized cross in the shape of an anchor) is visible on this apothecary jar. This may have been inspired by kamals, Arabian navigation devices from the 9th century. Note the winged symbol at the top of the staff. This is similar to that of the caduceus, the symbol of medicine.
This detailed image, less than an inch wide, shows a turtle. In many cultures, turtles symbolize long life and stability. This might have been a reassuring symbol to see when visiting an apothecary.
The rod or staff of Aesculapius, the god of medicine and healing, is often depicted as a staff with snakes. With two snakes and wings at the top of the staff, it is a caduceus, seen as a symbol of Hermes. The classic caduceus is shown at right.
One snake or two? Some see the staff with one snake as the 'true' symbol of medicine. The staff with one snake was symbolic of Aesculapius, the god of medicine and healing, whereas a staff with two snakes represented Hermes, the god of sun and commerce. From 1953 - 1980, the flag of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare displayed a staff with only one snake. The American Medical Association abandoned the double snake caduceus in favor of a staff with one snake in 1912.
Is this a variation on the rod or staff of Aesculapius? Or just a decorative embellishment?
The snail has sometimes been interpreted as a symbol of resurrection, due to occasional periods of hibernation. A Dutch floral painting from the 1600s might have an image of a snail cleverly hidden.
Tiny stylized containers are painted on some apothecary jars. Some of these containers resemble urns with handles. This may originate from the 'bowl of Hygeia', a bowl with a snake, which is sometimes used as an international symbol of pharmacy. Other containers are shallower, closer to the broad shallow Roman dishes known as patera.
Some of the jars in the collection have these 'container details' so stylized that they are reminiscent of a 'double-headed swan' motif. Swans symbolize the fragility of life. They are also a symbol of fidelity. Whether used as a meaningful symbol, or merely as a symmetrical motif, images of double swans remain popular today.
This particular detail may originate from the 'bowl of Hygeia', a bowl with a snake, which is sometimes used as an international symbol of pharmacy. In this detail, which is less than an inch in diameter, the 'handles' of the bowl appear to have scales.

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