Not currently on display at the V&A

Mortar

Mortar
16th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Italy (made)

The handles of this bronze mortar are in the form of mermaids. Acquired as italian, sixteenth century, the mortar bears a coat of arms possibly identifiable as those of the Milani of Rovigo, in north east Italy. The decoration related directly top that on the 'Annoni-Visconti' marriage bowl in the Ashmolean Museum, datable to about 1570-80.


Object details

Category
Tools & Equipment
Object type
Mortar
TitleMortar
Materials and techniques
Bronze
Bronze
Brief description
Mortar, bronze, mermaids
Physical description
Bronze mortar with projecting, moulded rim and recessed lip with two handles in the form of nude female mermaids with scroll arms and bifurcate tail. The body is decorated with two identical coats of arms, possibly identified as those of the Milani of Rovigo, N.E Italy, in cartouches, the sides of which are formed by profile female figures similar to the handles and surmounted by a lion mask; the cartouches are flanked by foliate decoration with rosettes in the upper spaces.
Dimensions
  • Height: 7.62in
  • Diameter: 9.75in
Object history
Bought 335-1889 to 354-1889 for £300
Subjects depicted
Nereids
Flowers
Shield
Summary
The handles of this bronze mortar are in the form of mermaids. Acquired as italian, sixteenth century, the mortar bears a coat of arms possibly identifiable as those of the Milani of Rovigo, in north east Italy. The decoration related directly top that on the 'Annoni-Visconti' marriage bowl in the Ashmolean Museum, datable to about 1570-80.
Bibliographic references
  • List of Objects in the Art Division South Kensington Museum acquired during the Year 1889. Arranged according to the dates of acquisition, with appendix and indices. London: Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1890. pp. 35
  • Motture, Peta. Bells & Mortars. Catalogue of the Italian Bronzes in the Victoria and Albert Museum. London, 2001. pp. 178. cat. no. 58
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
335-1889

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Record createdOctober 13, 2008
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O169236/mortar-mortar-unknown/
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