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Vintage Ceramic Apothecary Jar
SKU: 0543-11689010
$50.00
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A classic vintage ceramic apothecary jar featuring a dark wooden lid and an ornamental black-and-white label inscribed with "Unguentum Ultralanum." Produced mid-to-late 20th century by manufacturers such as Wade Pottery and Dehme, these promotional display jars were originally distributed to pharmacies and medical practices by the German pharmaceutical multinational Schering AG.
Historical Medical Context:
- The text on the jar translates from Latin to "Ultralan Ointment."Active Ingredients: "Ultralanum" was a topical formulation containing fluocortolone (a localized glucocorticoid steroid) paired with fluocortolone caproate. Early historical batches also mixed in an antiseptic compound called clemizole-hexachlorophane.
- Historical Uses: Doctors primarily prescribed it to manage severe inflammatory, allergic, or eczematous skin conditions, helping to alleviate flare-ups, localized swelling, and severe itching.
Collectible & Practical Value Today:
- Today, these containers are highly sought-after collector's items rather than functional medical storage.
- Decor: Perfect for adding an antique or dark-academia aesthetic to bookshelves, mantels, or vanity tables.
- Storage: Use it to store small, dry everyday items like cotton swabs, makeup brushes, pencils, or paperclips.
Stamp Details & History:
- The green mark on the base reads "UKW WUNSDORF / WESTERN GERMANY":UKW (Ullrich & Kraft, Wunstorf): This is the stamp for the manufacturer Ullrich & Kraft, a ceramic company based in the German town of Wunstorf (near Hanover).
- Western Germany: The inclusion of "Western Germany" explicitly dates the jar's production to the Cold War era (between 1949 and 1990).
- The Schering Connection: Schering AG commissioned various European ceramic manufacturers—most notably UKW in West Germany and Wade Pottery in Ireland—to produce these exact ceramic jars as decorative, promotional pharmacy displays for Unguentum Ultralanum.
Condition
Used: good
Antiques Types
Homewares
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