Alembic
Dublin Core
Title
Alembic
Subject
Tools, Household Items
Description
An alembic was an apparatus, usually made of two vessels connected by a tube, which was used for the distillation of various substances, mostly liquids. The word alembic can be used to describe both the entire apparatus and part of the apparatus in which the condensation occurred.
This particular earthenware alembic, which is part of the apparatus in which liquids condensed, dates to the late fifteenth or sixteenth century and was excavated from Fenchurch Street. It was likely made by a local potter, given that access to a kiln was necessary to manufacture it. It has a rather unique thumb-print design that runs like a V-shape down to its curved spout. It is cone-, rather than dome-, shaped, which may reflect a specific distilling use. It measures 178 mm (or 7 inches) in height, 150 mm (or 5.9 inches) in diameter, and 175 mm (or 6.8 inches) in width.
This particular earthenware alembic, which is part of the apparatus in which liquids condensed, dates to the late fifteenth or sixteenth century and was excavated from Fenchurch Street. It was likely made by a local potter, given that access to a kiln was necessary to manufacture it. It has a rather unique thumb-print design that runs like a V-shape down to its curved spout. It is cone-, rather than dome-, shaped, which may reflect a specific distilling use. It measures 178 mm (or 7 inches) in height, 150 mm (or 5.9 inches) in diameter, and 175 mm (or 6.8 inches) in width.
Publisher
Date
Late Medieval/Early Modern (1485-1600)
Contributor
Esther Cuenca
Format
Still image
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
Alembic
Physical Dimensions
Height 178 mm
Diameter 150 mm
Width (inc. spout) 175 mm
Diameter 150 mm
Width (inc. spout) 175 mm
Files
Collection
Citation
“Alembic,” Medieval London, accessed October 6, 2024, https://medievallondon.ace.fordham.edu/items/show/10.