Society of Apothecaries pill slab

Shield-shaped tin-glazed earthenware slab decorated in cobalt with the arms of the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries (azure, Apollo proper with his head radiant, holding in his left hand a bow and in his right hand an arrow, or, supplanting a serpent argent, with the crest upon a wreath of the colours a rhinoceros proper, supported by two unicorns or armed and unguled). There is also a motto 'OPIFERQUE:PER: ORBEM:DICOR' (meaning, ‘I am spoken of all over the world as one who brings help’) from the first book of Ovid's 'Metamorphoses'. There is an oval cartouche with the arms of the City of London (a cross gules, in the first quarter a sword of the second). The disposition of the exuberant mantling and decoration around the motto first appears on pill-slabs dating to 1687, but the tendril-like appendages seem to be derived from oriental classic scroll motifs, commonly found on plates and bowls in the early 18th century. These slabs may have been used for rolling out pills or ointment pastes, but also formed a decorative sign when hung in an apothecary's shop. The Society of Apothecaries was incorporated as a City Livery Company by royal charter from James I on 6 December 1617 in recognition of apothecaries' specialist skills in compounding and dispensing medicines. The Society received its Grant of Arms six days later.