Sold for A$5,050
Lid: Dr L. L, Smith's / Colonial / Ointment. / Bourke Street East / Melbourne. Base: Dr L, L, Smith's / Ointment / For all Digger's Wounds / Obtained by the Jarring of the Pick &c / For Scrofulous Sores, Lond Standing Ulcers, Burns, Scalds, Skin Eruptions, Scaldhead / Gouty & Rheumatic Pins / Loss of Hair &c &c. Pot Lid Ointment Small round slightly domed lid. Tall pedestal type base. Black and White. 50 mm diameter & 50 mm tall with Lid and base together. 1850s-1860s
Excellent. A truly stunning piece of early Australian history. Dr L. L. Smith was an early Victorian parliamentarian and heavily involved in the early development of the colony. These ointment pots were made to try to take some of the huge market enjoyed by Holloways. Letters sent to England at the time show the Smith pots and lids were first ordered around 1856-7. The lid has some fine scratches to the surface and a hint of discolouration in the middle. The base has fine crazing throughout with some slight discolouration in spots. On the right side at the top of the rim is a very shallow glaze flake with two similar marks on the outer rim in the same area. A magnificent pair of items. Grade: 8.9 Estimate: $6000 - 8000
