Object Details
- Description
- This blown and molded bottle is marked BALS MECH. The bottle would have contained the Balsam of Mecca (or Balm of Gilead); a viscous liquid derived from the tree Balsamodendron opobalsamum. Real balsam of Mecca came from the former Ottoman Empire and was scarce, and boiled balsam leaves were often substituted. The balsam of Mecca was used as an antiseptic, stimulant, and vulnerary.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Credit Line
- Gift of American Pharmaceutical Association and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
- 18th century
- ID Number
- 1991.0664.0303
- catalog number
- M-05452
- accession number
- 1991.0664
- collector/donor number
- SAP 161
- catalog number
- 1991.0664.0303
- Object Name
- bottle
- Other Terms
- bottle; Pharmaceutical Container
- Physical Description
- glass (overall material)
- paint (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 13 cm x 6.7 cm x 6.8 cm; 5 1/8 in x 2 5/8 in x 2 11/16 in
- Related Publication
- Urdang, George and Ferdinand William Nitardy. The Squibb Ancient Pharmacy: A Catalogue of the Collection
- See more items in
- Medicine and Science: Medicine
- European Apothecary
- Religion
- Art
- National Museum of American History
- Subject
- Pharmacy
- Record ID
- nmah_994547
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a8-77c1-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
