and the ochre and yellow robe he wears. Appearing from behind his left shoulder is a pale blue banner bearing the name HAIF (?) suggesting that he is a real figure rather than just a classical creation. Like the other albarello jar, the figure is framed by an oak-leafed cartouche and surrounded by instruments against an ochre ground. The label below in cobalt blue against a white ground reads:
Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans (21st February 1920 - 25th January 2012) was an American philanthropist, leader, activist, and patron of the arts. She was the granddaughter of Benjamin N. Duke, great niece of James B. Duke and great granddaughter of Washington Duke, tobacco tycoons who built the American Tobacco Company. Her great uncle James was the key principal in the formation and early operations of what is now Duke Energy Corporation, the largest investorowned utility in the United States, and with
TRIFERA MAGNA
the urging and guidance of his brother Ben, founded Duke University in Durham,
This Latin term translates to “Big vase”, a mysterious and ambiguous phrase that perhaps suggests the contents could be non-specific or based upon quantity rather than type. Below the label, a further group of trophies including spheres and manuscripts float against the cobalt ground. Interestingly, the sphere to the front contains the date “1555”, which we assume is accurate for dating the jar. Borders of yellow and green oak leaves frame the central field above and below.
North Carolina, and established The Duke Endowment, now one of the largest charitable organisations in the United States. These maiolica albarelli were obtained during Mrs Semans’ first marriage. Her husband’s fascination with medical objects and memorabilia came naturally, but it was during their time in Italy that he found inspiration in the many beautiful pharmacy jars they observed. The exact dates of acquisition of these jars are uncertain, but from all accounts from Mary’s family, the collection was started soon after their return from Europe in the summer of 1938 and
A similar albarello jar, also dated 1555 and with a portrait of a man in Turkish costume within the same cartouche is in the Musée de la Renaissance in Ecouen.
concluded at some time before Josiah’s
Provenance:
We would like to thank Signora Maria
The Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans
Schiavone for the Latin translations on
Foundation
these objects.
tragic death in 1948. In 1956, Mary donated these jars to Duke University on longterm loan, where they were prominently displayed until just recently.
