Mortar thumbnail 1
Mortar thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Mortar

ca. 1500-1550 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Italy (made)

Accurate dating of this cornical mortar is problematic as the bronze combines a comparatively early profile with portraits and elongated figures that are stylistically later in date. It most probably dates to the first half of the 16th century. The legend, 'N. MARIO. LILL.' presumably refers to the owner.


Object details

Category
Sculpture
Object type
Mortar
Materials and techniques
bronze, dark brown patina
Bronze
Brief description
Mortar decorated with female heads and a horseman, bronze Italian ca. 1500-1550.
Physical description
Conial mortar with projecting lip bearing the legend: N. MARIO. LILLA. with seven additional lozenges, decorated with geometrically arranged ornament. The rim separated from the body by a cavetto between two torus mouldings. The body decorated with six panels containing standing, draped female figures depicted as three pairs in mirror image, between which alternate female heads in profile, facing left, with large medallions of a horseman with billowing cloak attacked by a lion.
Dimensions
  • Height: 9.4cm
  • Rim diameter: 13.7cm
  • Base diameter: 10cm
Marks and inscriptions
"N. MARIO. LILLA."
Credit line
Lt. Col. G. B. Croft-Lyons Bequest
Subjects depicted
Female
Horsemen
Lion
Summary
Accurate dating of this cornical mortar is problematic as the bronze combines a comparatively early profile with portraits and elongated figures that are stylistically later in date. It most probably dates to the first half of the 16th century. The legend, 'N. MARIO. LILL.' presumably refers to the owner.
Bibliographic reference
Motture, Peta. Bells and Mortars. Catalogue of Italian Bronzes in the Victoria and Albert Museum. London, 2001. p. 88. cat. no. 13.
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
M.996-1926

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O312045/mortar-unknown/
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