Manufactured by
Unidentified
Owned by
Scott, Hazel, American, 1920 - 1981
Subject of
P. Page's Apothicaire à Rodez, French
Date
mid 20th century
Medium
paint and gold on porcelain
Dimensions
H x W x D (2023.101.3.1ab): 6 × 3 3/8 × 3 3/8 in. (15.3 × 8.5 × 8.5 cm)
H x W x D (2023.101.3.1a): 3 7/8 × 3 1/16 × 3 1/16 in. (9.8 × 7.8 × 7.8 cm)
H x W x D (2023.101.3.1b): 2 5/16 × 3 3/8 × 3 3/8 in. (5.9 × 8.5 × 8.5 cm)
Caption
Pianist and vocalist Hazel Scott was an icon of mid-20th century American popular culture and a trailblazer for Black women in the entertainment industry. She famously abstained from drugs and these apothecary jars were a gag gift from some of her musician friends, likely during the years she spent living in France (1957-1967).
Description
A novelty apothecary jar with “opium” label owned by Hazel Scott. The jar (a) and its accompanying lid (b) are painted porcelain.
The porcelain apothecary jar has a cylindrical body with an embossed ring at the shoulder and a footed base that have been accented with painted gold leaf bands. Painted just below the shoulder is a large blue banner with painted black text that reads [OPiUM]. Painted directly below the banner is a floral wreath design with a large pink and yellow rose at the center that is bookended by sprigs of three, small, five petal, orange and yellow flowers on one side, and three, blue, cup-shaped flowers with yellow stems on the other, accented with green leaves of varying sizes and shapes. The rest of the apothecary jar’s exterior is plain cream in color and the interior is plain. Handwritten brown text on the bottom of the apothecary jar reads [P. Page's / Apothicaire / à Rodez].
The accompanying porcelain drop in lid for the apothecary jar has a short, round wall on the bottom that nestles tightly into the mouth of the jar, creating a seal. The top of the lid has a conical shape with a ball shaped knob handle at the top. The knob has been painted gold leaf at the top and the lid has a floral design matching the one on the jar.
Place made
France, Europe
Classification
Furnishings, Housewares, and Décor
Type
apothecary bottles
Topic
Entertainers
Jazz (Music)
Music
Musicians
Singers (Musicians)
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Adam Clayton Powell III
Object number
2023.101.3.1ab
Restrictions & Rights
Unknown – Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5db916ba1-5d8c-48ac-b582-c87eb69987e7

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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