Antique "Digitale" Italian Murano Glass Pharmacy Apothecary Jar
Here is a beautiful Antique Italian Murano Glass Pharmacy Apothecary Jar. Elaborately hand painted and gilt on blue Murano glass. Featuring a pear with leaf on the lid. Reads “DIGITALE” which translates to Digitalis which is a drug obtained from the dried leaves of the common foxglove
Overall good condition with no chips or cracks. Some loss to paint and wear consistent with age and use as seen in the pictures. This style of apothecary jar is quite rare and hard to find.
Circa 1900. Murano, Italy.
Measures approx. 10”H x 4”W
More about Digitale (Digitalis)
Digitalis, commonly known as foxglove, is a genus of about 20 species of herbaceous perennials, shrubs, and biennials that are native to Europe, western Asia, and northwestern Africa. The most well-known species is Digitalis purpurea, commonly known as the common foxglove. Here are some key points about digitalis:
Botanical Characteristics
Appearance: Digitalis plants are known for their tall spikes of tubular flowers, which can be purple, pink, white, or yellow. The leaves are generally large, with a woolly texture on the underside.
Height: They can grow from 1 to 2 meters tall, depending on the species and growing conditions.
Life Cycle: Many species are biennials, meaning they form a rosette of leaves in the first year and flower in the second year. However, some species are perennials or annuals.
Medicinal Use
Cardiac Glycosides: The most significant use of digitalis is in medicine, where it is a source of cardiac glycosides like digoxin and digitoxin. These compounds are used to treat heart conditions, specifically heart failure and arrhythmias.
Mechanism: Cardiac glycosides work by increasing the force of heart contractions and regulating heart rate. They inhibit the sodium-potassium ATPase enzyme, leading to an increase in intracellular calcium concentration in heart muscle cells.
Toxicity
Poisonous: Digitalis is highly toxic if ingested improperly. All parts of the plant contain toxic compounds that can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and even severe cardiac issues leading to death if not treated promptly.
Symptoms of Poisoning: Symptoms of digitalis poisoning include blurred vision, xanthopsia (yellow vision), confusion, dizziness, and irregular heart rhythms.
Cultivation and Garden Use
Growing Conditions: Digitalis prefers well-drained soil and partial shade, though some species can tolerate full sun. They thrive in cool climates and can be grown in USDA hardiness zones 4-9.
Garden Value: Despite their toxicity, foxgloves are popular in gardens for their striking appearance and tall flower spikes, which attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Historical Context
Discovery: The medicinal properties of digitalis were first recorded in the late 18th century by William Withering, an English physician who documented its use in treating dropsy (edema).
Digitalis continues to be important in both horticulture and medicine, valued for its beauty and its critical role in heart disease treatment. However, its toxic nature necessitates careful handling and usage.
Here is a beautiful Antique Italian Murano Glass Pharmacy Apothecary Jar. Elaborately hand painted and gilt on blue Murano glass. Featuring a pear with leaf on the lid. Reads “DIGITALE” which translates to Digitalis which is a drug obtained from the dried leaves of the common foxglove
Overall good condition with no chips or cracks. Some loss to paint and wear consistent with age and use as seen in the pictures. This style of apothecary jar is quite rare and hard to find.
Circa 1900. Murano, Italy.
Measures approx. 10”H x 4”W
More about Digitale (Digitalis)
Digitalis, commonly known as foxglove, is a genus of about 20 species of herbaceous perennials, shrubs, and biennials that are native to Europe, western Asia, and northwestern Africa. The most well-known species is Digitalis purpurea, commonly known as the common foxglove. Here are some key points about digitalis:
Botanical Characteristics
Appearance: Digitalis plants are known for their tall spikes of tubular flowers, which can be purple, pink, white, or yellow. The leaves are generally large, with a woolly texture on the underside.
Height: They can grow from 1 to 2 meters tall, depending on the species and growing conditions.
Life Cycle: Many species are biennials, meaning they form a rosette of leaves in the first year and flower in the second year. However, some species are perennials or annuals.
Medicinal Use
Cardiac Glycosides: The most significant use of digitalis is in medicine, where it is a source of cardiac glycosides like digoxin and digitoxin. These compounds are used to treat heart conditions, specifically heart failure and arrhythmias.
Mechanism: Cardiac glycosides work by increasing the force of heart contractions and regulating heart rate. They inhibit the sodium-potassium ATPase enzyme, leading to an increase in intracellular calcium concentration in heart muscle cells.
Toxicity
Poisonous: Digitalis is highly toxic if ingested improperly. All parts of the plant contain toxic compounds that can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and even severe cardiac issues leading to death if not treated promptly.
Symptoms of Poisoning: Symptoms of digitalis poisoning include blurred vision, xanthopsia (yellow vision), confusion, dizziness, and irregular heart rhythms.
Cultivation and Garden Use
Growing Conditions: Digitalis prefers well-drained soil and partial shade, though some species can tolerate full sun. They thrive in cool climates and can be grown in USDA hardiness zones 4-9.
Garden Value: Despite their toxicity, foxgloves are popular in gardens for their striking appearance and tall flower spikes, which attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Historical Context
Discovery: The medicinal properties of digitalis were first recorded in the late 18th century by William Withering, an English physician who documented its use in treating dropsy (edema).
Digitalis continues to be important in both horticulture and medicine, valued for its beauty and its critical role in heart disease treatment. However, its toxic nature necessitates careful handling and usage.
Here is a beautiful Antique Italian Murano Glass Pharmacy Apothecary Jar. Elaborately hand painted and gilt on blue Murano glass. Featuring a pear with leaf on the lid. Reads “DIGITALE” which translates to Digitalis which is a drug obtained from the dried leaves of the common foxglove
Overall good condition with no chips or cracks. Some loss to paint and wear consistent with age and use as seen in the pictures. This style of apothecary jar is quite rare and hard to find.
Circa 1900. Murano, Italy.
Measures approx. 10”H x 4”W
More about Digitale (Digitalis)
Digitalis, commonly known as foxglove, is a genus of about 20 species of herbaceous perennials, shrubs, and biennials that are native to Europe, western Asia, and northwestern Africa. The most well-known species is Digitalis purpurea, commonly known as the common foxglove. Here are some key points about digitalis:
Botanical Characteristics
Appearance: Digitalis plants are known for their tall spikes of tubular flowers, which can be purple, pink, white, or yellow. The leaves are generally large, with a woolly texture on the underside.
Height: They can grow from 1 to 2 meters tall, depending on the species and growing conditions.
Life Cycle: Many species are biennials, meaning they form a rosette of leaves in the first year and flower in the second year. However, some species are perennials or annuals.
Medicinal Use
Cardiac Glycosides: The most significant use of digitalis is in medicine, where it is a source of cardiac glycosides like digoxin and digitoxin. These compounds are used to treat heart conditions, specifically heart failure and arrhythmias.
Mechanism: Cardiac glycosides work by increasing the force of heart contractions and regulating heart rate. They inhibit the sodium-potassium ATPase enzyme, leading to an increase in intracellular calcium concentration in heart muscle cells.
Toxicity
Poisonous: Digitalis is highly toxic if ingested improperly. All parts of the plant contain toxic compounds that can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and even severe cardiac issues leading to death if not treated promptly.
Symptoms of Poisoning: Symptoms of digitalis poisoning include blurred vision, xanthopsia (yellow vision), confusion, dizziness, and irregular heart rhythms.
Cultivation and Garden Use
Growing Conditions: Digitalis prefers well-drained soil and partial shade, though some species can tolerate full sun. They thrive in cool climates and can be grown in USDA hardiness zones 4-9.
Garden Value: Despite their toxicity, foxgloves are popular in gardens for their striking appearance and tall flower spikes, which attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Historical Context
Discovery: The medicinal properties of digitalis were first recorded in the late 18th century by William Withering, an English physician who documented its use in treating dropsy (edema).
Digitalis continues to be important in both horticulture and medicine, valued for its beauty and its critical role in heart disease treatment. However, its toxic nature necessitates careful handling and usage.