Images(5)

'Nettle & Docken' Jar

MakerMade by Amy Benzie (Aberdeen)

Date2023

Object NameJar

Mediumclay

ClassificationsCeramics

DimensionsOverall (Height x Width x Circumference): 120 × 90 × 290mm

AcquisitionCommissioned in 2022 by Aberdeen Archives, Gallery and Museums (Aberdeen City Council) with support from Friends of Aberdeen Art Gallery.

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDMS095740.1

Keywords

About Me'Nettle & Docken' are said to have soothing health benefits. Drinking dried nettles in a tea or rubbing docken leaves on skin where nettles have stung is thought to alleviate discomfort.

Amy Benzie’s series of five jars were made in response to the George Shepherd Pharmaceutical Collection in Aberdeen Archives, Art Gallery & Museums holdings. The jars, once used at Davidson & Kay Limited, have influenced the aesthetics of Amy’s work.

Amy's jars are engraved with North East ‘remedies’, based on local knowledge and ‘auld wives' tales heard from growing up in the area. The ‘remedies’ have been incorporated in to the making of the jar, and each cure is included as a flux or colourant within the glaze. Amy gathered nettles and docken, burned them to ash, and incorporated the ash into the glaze. The jar is glazed with the ash of nettle and docken as fluxing agent and colourant.