Lot 1184:
LEAD THERIAC CAPSULE SEAL.
Alla Testa d'Oro Pharmacy, Venice, 17th century. D/ Laureate and draped bust right. 15.74 g. 34 mm. Theriac, described by Klein as a 'wonder drug', was an all purpose medicinal product originating as far back as the Hellenistic period. The centre for sale of this product was Venice, from where it was exported all over the world. Its composition, made up of opium, spices and snake flesh, amongst other ingredients, was a closely guarded secret, making it all the more desirable. The capsule seals were made exclusively of lead or lead alloy and stamped with the symbol of the pharmacy as a guarantee of the authentic nature of the product. This did not prevent counterfeit products purporting to be from the well established pharmacies in Venice, many of which have been found in the Balkans.
Alla Testa d'Oro Pharmacy, Venice, 17th century. D/ Laureate and draped bust right. 15.74 g. 34 mm. Theriac, described by Klein as a 'wonder drug', was an all purpose medicinal product originating as far back as the Hellenistic period. The centre for sale of this product was Venice, from where it was exported all over the world. Its composition, made up of opium, spices and snake flesh, amongst other ingredients, was a closely guarded secret, making it all the more desirable. The capsule seals were made exclusively of lead or lead alloy and stamped with the symbol of the pharmacy as a guarantee of the authentic nature of the product. This did not prevent counterfeit products purporting to be from the well established pharmacies in Venice, many of which have been found in the Balkans.