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Terra sigillata (medicinal earth) were applied to a wide range of medicinal uses including: animal bites, fevers, tape-worm, dysentery, antidotes to poisons, production of theriac, diarrhoea and any 'fluid' related illnesses. The first tablet is made from Lemnian earth and has an inscription in Arabic characters. The second is red but unidentified, while the third, fourth and fifth all have Arabic inscriptions, the latter also being Lemnian. The sixth is of Armenian origin and apparently recommended by Galen and the seventh tablet is inscribed in Turkish. The eighth seal bears a coat of arms and is from Strigonia and Ligies (Legnica, Poland), and the ninth is inscribed with a double-headed eagle and orginates from Erlachianam (Erlach, Switzerland).
Title
Seventeen Different Pieces of Sealed, Precious Medicinal Earth Known as 'Terra Sigillata'
Medium
pen & ink on paper (?)
Measurements
H 16.2 x W 23.3 cm
Accession number
16335i
Acquisition method
presumed to be part of the collection formed by Henry S. Wellcome
Work type
Drawing