Four Italian maiolica albarelli, 16th/17th century

comprising: a Siena albarello inscribed triaca on the front and o [over] G on the reverse;  an Italian albarello inscribed MITHRIDAO, possibly Castel Durante; a Sicilian albarello with mask and trophies on the front and IHS monogram on the reverse; and a Sicilian albarello depicting the young Saint John the Baptist.

Blue albarello inscribed MITHRIDAO: Chipping and surface abrasions. Unglazed patches inside. Foot repaired and overpainted. Sicilian albarello with Saint John: Chips to lower section, shoulder, foot, and upper rim. Surface abrasions and minor chipping throughout. Sienese albarello inscribed triaca: Surface abrasions and minor chipping. Unglazed area of approximately 3 inches on foot. Some pooling of glaze. Sicilian albarello with IHS: Surface abrasions. Chips to glaze on body, foot, and upper rim.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Two of the apothecary albarelli in the present lot are labelled with the names of their original contents:  triaca denotes theriac, which was a "polypharmaceutical preparation (electuary), reputedly introduced into medical practice by Nicander of Colophon (second century B.C.), Greek poet and priest of Apollo, as an antidote against poisons, especially the bite of serpents.  The preparation was reformulated in subsequent centuries and became gradually to be regarded as a universal remedy.  Theriac of Andromachus (q.v.) contained seventy-three ingredients, the most important of which was the flesh of vipers."  (Drey 1978, p. 234)  Mithridao is for Mithridate,  a pharmaceutical preparation similar to Theriac, named for its inventor Mithridates, King of Pontus (131-64 B.C.).  (ibid, p. 215)

RELATED LITERATURE

Rudolf E. A. Drey, Apothecary Jars: Pharmaceutical Pottery and Porcelain in Europe and the East, 1150-1850, London, 1978