Apothecary's shop sign in the shape of the Sun, Europe, 1701-1900
The sign is made from copper and measures 305 mm in diameter. The ‘Sun’ also has a face moulded in the centre. This sign may have hung outside a shop to attract customers or it might have been part of the internal decoration. Apollo was the Greek god of light and for this reason is associated with the Sun. He was also a patron of medicine and healing and was said to be the judge of sickness and health.
Object number:
A631331
Related Themes and Topics
Glossary:
Glossary: shop sign
Use broadly for signs identifying places of business.
Glossary: pharmacy
The preparation and medicinal dispensing of drugs.
Glossary: alchemy
A form of medieval chemistry that incorporated aspects of philosophy. It was concerned with transforming metal, particularly into gold, and potentially creating an elixir to prolong life.