Black powder against epilepsy

One of the exhibits of the temporary exhibition "Gold and gems" at the History of Pharmacy Collection in Cluj is a wooden apothecary jar from the beginning of the 19th c, with the signature PULV: EPILEPT: NIG: (i.e. in Latin Pulvis epilepticus niger). The product contained various plants (mainly peony), linden charcoal (thus the name and the black color), but also red coral, white amber, narwhal tusk (“sea unicorn”) and sometimes mother of pearl, pearls, and gold.

The product and features for example in the correspondence of the Mozarts. Though the name of the apothecary powder indicates that it was used against epilepsy, similar "black powders" were also used in the 18th and 19th centuries in Europe against fever, shivers, convulsions, colic pains, and nightmares.

 

Exotica - jewelry and precious stones

The past few days I visited Mineralia, the periodical fair for precious stones and jewelry, this time held at the Ethnographic Museum in Cluj-Napoca. It was rich, as usual, more with ready-made pieces of jewelry than with primary materials or independent stones. So rich that one has to diligently go through the myriad way-to-shiny things, in order to fine something special. Once I got the worn-down coral pieces, imperfect amber stones, a couple of prehistoric crocodile teeth and other wonders, I embarked on the "Exotica" project: making amulet necklaces with exotic materials. They can be found on my website Atelierul de Istorie.