A lovely Italian maiolica armorial albarello, probably Venice, late 17th/early 18th century, of dumbbell form, painted to the waisted centre with a scroll inscribed 'BENEDETTA LAX', above an armorial crest framed in yellow and blue with scrollwork and painted with a tree flanked by the letters 'D' and 'I', the rest of the body painted in blue with berried foliage, height 20cm (minor restoration and faults). Benedicta (Benedetta) laxativa is a laxative electuary made from turpeth root and other ingredients.