It is likely that this large and impressive apothecary jar, decorated with a crane against a ground of oak leaf foliage, belonged to the pharmacy of the Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Florence's oldest and most distinguished hospital. Its likely maker, Giunta di Tugio, delivered many maiolica wares to the hospital, especially in the year 1431. The existence of other apothecary jars in the same style, also bearing the hospital's emblem, a crutch, suggests that they all form part of an extensive commission of maiolica wares executed by Giunta after Hispano-Moresque prototypes.

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