Name/Title
"Snowflake" absorbent cotton wool ("脱脂药棉") roll, ⅛ lb.Entry/Object ID
2025.1.247Description
A small cylindrical roll of medical absorbent cotton wool in its original wrapper. The cotton is rolled and wrapped in black paper, with a printed paper label around the middle. The label, framed by a red rule on a buff ground, reads in blue Chinese characters "脱脂药棉" (absorbent/degreased medicinal cotton) above "ABSORBENT" and, in red script, "Cotton Wool." Below: "⅛ 磅装" and "⅛ Lb." (net weight one-sixteenth of a pound), a central circular device (a snowflake/snow-crystal trademark with Chinese characters), "中華人民共和國製造 / MADE IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA," and "EXPORTED BY: CHINA NATIONAL CHEMICALS IMPORT & EXPORT CORP. SHANGHAI BRANCH." The package is intact, aged, soiled, and toned; the wrapper paper is worn and stained.Use
Medical supplies of Leopoldo Arús GálvezCollection
The Cabrera Arús family collection, Leopoldo Arús Gálvez collectionMade/Created
Manufacturer
China National Chemicals Import & Export CorporationPlace
City
ShanghaiCountry
People's Republic of ChinaContinent
AsiaEdition
"SNOWFLAKE" (雪花) brandNotes
Maker
Chinese state production for export; exported by the China National Chemicals Import & Export Corporation, Shanghai Branch (the People's Republic of China's state foreign-trade monopoly for chemical and pharmaceutical goods, commonly known as Sinochem). The actual producing mill is not named; a snowflake/snow-crystal device serves as the export brand/trademark.
Date
Undetermined; mid-to-late 20th century. The "Made in the People's Republic of China" wording and the China National Chemicals Import & Export Corporation export attribution indicate a PRC export product (post-1949).
Place of Origin
People's Republic of China (exported via Shanghai), per "Made in the People's Republic of China" and the China National Chemicals Import & Export Corp., Shanghai Branch.Inscription/Signature/Marks
Notes
"脱脂药棉"; "ABSORBENT"; "Cotton Wool"; "1/8 磅装"; "1/8 Lb."; central snowflake/snow-crystal trademark device lettered "SNOWFLAKE" (with Chinese characters); "中華人民共和國製造 / MADE IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA"; "EXPORTED BY: CHINA NATIONAL CHEMICALS IMPORT & EXPORT CORP. SHANGHAI BRANCH."Relationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Leopoldo Arús GálvezNotes
ownerRelated Places
Place
City
HavanaCountry
CubaRegion
Caribbean, Central AmericaNotes
usePlace
City
ShanghaiCountry
People's Republic of ChinaContinent
AsiaNotes
export cityCreated By
María A. Cabrera ArúsCreate Date
June 4, 2026Updated By
María A. Cabrera ArúsUpdate Date
June 23, 2026