The Van Gelder Collection

European Apothecary Ceramics from the Sixteenth through the Nineteenth Century

At TEFAF Maastricht 2026, Aronson Antiquairs presented one of the largest and most comprehensive private collections of European apothecary ceramics ever assembled. Displayed within a specially constructed eighteenth-century apothecary inspired by the historic Gasthuisapotheek of Aarschot, Belgium, the exhibition transformed our stand into an immersive historical interior, allowing visitors to experience these remarkable objects in a setting closely resembling their original environment.

Comprising approximately 350 objects, including 345 ceramic vessels and ten related pharmaceutical implements and accessories, The Van Gelder Collection offers an exceptional survey of European apothecary ceramics from the sixteenth through the nineteenth century. Few collections illustrate so comprehensively the evolution of pharmacy, ceramic production, and medical practice over nearly four centuries.

More than a collection of beautiful pots, jars, bottles and syrup jugs, it is a collection about knowledge. Every vessel tells a story of medicine, trade, craftsmanship and scientific curiosity.

Table of contents (links)

The Apothecary’s World

To step into an eighteenth-century pharmacy was to enter a world of colour, fragrance and discovery. Shelves were lined with beautifully decorated ceramic jars filled with herbs, spices, resins, oils and powders imported from every corner of the known world. Cinnamon from Ceylon, cloves from the East Indies, aloe from Africa and countless other ingredients arrived through international trading networks before finding their place on the apothecary’s shelves.

The apothecary occupied a unique position within society. He was simultaneously physician, chemist, merchant and craftsman. His shop served not merely as a place where medicines were dispensed, but as a centre of scientific knowledge, commerce and practical expertise.

At a time when hundreds of ingredients were kept in stock, carefully labelled ceramic containers were indispensable. Yet these vessels were never purely functional. Their elegant decoration reflected the professionalism, reputation and prosperity of the apothecary himself.

Delftware and the Rise of Pharmacy

From the seventeenth century onwards, Delft became one of Europe’s most important centres for the production of pharmacy ceramics. The white tin-glazed surface provided the ideal ground upon which the names of medicines could be clearly painted, while simultaneously offering opportunities for sophisticated decoration.

The relationship between apothecaries and Delft potters was remarkably close. Entire services of albarelli, syrup jars, oil jars, bottles and storage vessels were commissioned to create harmonious interiors in which every ingredient had its designated place.

Factories such as De Drie Klokken became internationally renowned for their pharmacy ware. Elegant cartouches, elaborate floral ornament and finely painted heraldic devices transformed everyday containers into objects of considerable artistic merit.

Different forms served different purposes. Cylindrical albarelli stored herbs, powders and ointments. Bulbous syrup jars contained thick medicinal liquids, while tall bottles and narrow-necked vessels preserved oils, distilled waters and wines, limiting evaporation while ensuring easy identification.

A Language of Symbols

The decoration of apothecary ceramics extended far beyond ornament.

Throughout Europe, artists incorporated an extraordinary visual vocabulary drawn from mythology, religion and natural history. Unicorns symbolised purity and healing. Peacocks represented immortality. Stags embodied renewal and vitality, while putti referred to learning and scientific knowledge.

Among the highlights of the Van Gelder Collection are monumental Brussels pharmacy jars depicting Saint Michael defeating the Devil, a powerful image of protection, order and the triumph of good over evil. Delft examples likewise reveal a rich symbolic language, demonstrating that these vessels were intended not only to store medicines, but also to inspire confidence in those seeking treatment.

Medicines from Around the World

The inscriptions painted on the vessels provide a remarkable glimpse into early modern medicine.

Some names remain familiar; others sound almost mythical.

Dragon’s Blood (Sanguis Draconis) was not obtained from a legendary creature but from a deep red resin harvested from trees growing on Madeira and the Canary Islands. Because of its colour it was associated with blood itself and was widely used in wound treatment.

Castoreum, derived from the scent glands of the beaver, was prescribed for ailments ranging from nervous disorders to convulsions.

Spermaceti, a waxy substance obtained from the sperm whale, was prized for its soothing properties and incorporated into ointments and medicinal preparations.

These exotic ingredients illustrate the remarkable global trading networks upon which early modern medicine depended. They also remind us that the history of pharmacy is inseparable from the history of exploration, commerce and scientific exchange.

The Legacy of Joop van Gelder

The Van Gelder Collection represents the life’s work of Dutch collector Joop van Gelder, who spent decades assembling one of Europe’s most important private collections of apothecary ceramics.

Together, the approximately 350 objects offer far more than an overview of ceramic production. They tell the story of generations of apothecaries, potters, physicians and patients; of international trade, scientific discovery and artistic excellence.

Today these vessels stand not merely as museum pieces, but as tangible witnesses to a world in which medicine, craftsmanship and art were inseparably connected. Thanks to Van Gelder’s dedication, this remarkable chapter of European cultural history has been preserved for future generations of collectors, scholars and museums alike.