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Ivory pharmacy sign in the shape of a unicorn's head, Europe
- Science Museum, London
- Digital Images
- Online
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Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
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Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) terms and conditions https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Credit: Ivory pharmacy sign in the shape of a unicorn's head, Europe. Science Museum, London. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
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About this work
Description
'Unicorn horns' were believed to have medicinal qualities. As the unicorn is a mythical beast the apothecary had to find a substitute ingredient. Usually this was the long horn of a male narwhal whale, which was ground into a powder to be used in treatments. Unicorns were also a medieval symbol of purity and chastity. Mounted on an oak stand, the ivory shop sign was probably made in England or the Netherlands.
maker: Unknown maker
Place made: Europe