We don’t have an image of this object online yet. V&A Images may have a photograph that we can’t show online, but it may be possible to supply one to you. Email us at vaimages@vam.ac.uk for guidance about fees and timescales, quoting the accession number: 341-1889
Find out about our images

Not currently on display at the V&A

Mortar

Mortar
19th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Italy (made)

This vase shaped bronze mortar has two handles in the form of porpoise heads. On the body there are motifs of centaurs carrying women. The nature of the iconography and metal analysis suggest that it was made in the 19th century.


Object details

Object type
Mortar
TitleMortar
Materials and techniques
Bronze
Bronze
Brief description
Mortar, bronze, centaurs carrying women
Physical description
A modified vase-shaped bronze mortar with projecting rim with recessed lip and two handles in the form of porpoise heads. On the body, two astragals with overlapping decoration on each side consisting of a grotesque mask flanked by different motifs of centaurs carrying women. On the bowl, six tapered ribs evenly spaced. A concave foot with narrow projecting base.
Object history
Bought from Michelangelo Guggenheim, Venice, in 1889 (with 335 to 354- 1889) for £300.
Subjects depicted
Centaurs
Grotesques
Summary
This vase shaped bronze mortar has two handles in the form of porpoise heads. On the body there are motifs of centaurs carrying women. The nature of the iconography and metal analysis suggest that it was made in the 19th century.
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. 36
  • Motture, Peta. Bells and Mortars. Catalogue of the Italian Bronzes in the Victoria and Albert Museum. London, 2001. pp. 187-8, cat. no. 63
  • Launert, Edmund. Der Mörser. geschichte und Erscheinungsbild eines Apothekengarätes. Munich. 1990. pp. 208, cat. no. 234
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
341-1889

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdOctober 13, 2008
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O169266/mortar-mortar-unknown/
Download as: JSON