An English delftware blue and white wet-drug jar, circa 1660, London

of squat globular form applied with a grooved strap handle and a short spout, on a spreading conical foot, named for ':S:E:SVCCO:LVIVLÆ:' on a strapwork label flanked by 'Man Smoking Pipe' ornament with a 'Green Man' mask below,

W.A. Jackson (paper label to base.)

In overall good appearance. There is typical glaze loss to the rim of the spout and the footrim, and there are four glaze chips to the handle. Some minor glaze crazing cracks scattered.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

S:E:SVCCO:LVIVLÆ, or Succo Luiula, syrup juice of Wood-sorrel (Oxalis) is the main ingredient of a 'A Sirrup for a Feaver' in the 1688 work by Madam Susan Avery, A Plain Plantain, A still Room book. She writes '...Take Sirrup of Violets two ounces; Sirrup of Woodsorrell two ounces; Sirrup of Lemmon two ounces, mixed altogether, and drink it.'

A good comparable is a wet-drug jar of this type also labelled for the same content but spelt 'S: LVIVLA:' and dated 1662, which was sold in these rooms, 15th April 1958, lot 80. Only two other 'Man Smoking Pipe' jars are known to be dated, one dated 1652 is in the British Museum, London; the other dated 1665 was sold in these rooms on 24th October 1978, lot 10A.