Mortar
Mortar
1450-1500 (made)
1450-1500 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This conical early Renaissance mortar is decorated with three pairs of cavorting winged putti supporting a blank shield between five projecting, tapered ribs which terminate in a trefoil.
Mortars played an integral part in everyday life. Wherever there was a need to grind a substance, there would be a mortar and pestle. The most obvious application is in the context of medicine and pharmacy, but they were also essential pieces of equipment in the household, where they were used not only to prepare food, but also simple medicines and cosmetics. Similarly they would be found in the studios of artists and craftsmen, as well as the laboratories of alchemists.
Mortars played an integral part in everyday life. Wherever there was a need to grind a substance, there would be a mortar and pestle. The most obvious application is in the context of medicine and pharmacy, but they were also essential pieces of equipment in the household, where they were used not only to prepare food, but also simple medicines and cosmetics. Similarly they would be found in the studios of artists and craftsmen, as well as the laboratories of alchemists.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Mortar |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze |
| Brief description | Mortar with ribs and shield supported by putti |
| Physical description | Conical mortar with corded handle and a plain iron ring. Moulded projecting rim with shallow recess. On the body three pairs of cavorting winged putti supporting a blank testa di cavello shield, between five projecting, tapering ribs, which terminate in a trefoil. Moulded foot. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Bought from Michelangelo Guggenheim, Venice, in 1889 (with 335 to 354-1889) for £300. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This conical early Renaissance mortar is decorated with three pairs of cavorting winged putti supporting a blank shield between five projecting, tapered ribs which terminate in a trefoil. Mortars played an integral part in everyday life. Wherever there was a need to grind a substance, there would be a mortar and pestle. The most obvious application is in the context of medicine and pharmacy, but they were also essential pieces of equipment in the household, where they were used not only to prepare food, but also simple medicines and cosmetics. Similarly they would be found in the studios of artists and craftsmen, as well as the laboratories of alchemists. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 349-1889 |
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| Record created | October 27, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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