Not currently on display at the V&A

Mortar

Mortar
1555 (dated)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Italy (made)

The 16th-century Italian mortar is of cylindrical shape, tapering towards the base with a moulded lip. The handles are formed by two lions upon projecting brackets. The outer surface is enriched with six vertical bands of leaves.

This is one of a group of related mortars, two of which have inscriptions linking them to Melfi, a bronze-founding centre for the northern Basilicata region, south-east of Naples.


Object details

Categories
Sculpture
Metalwork
Household Objects
Object type
Mortar
TitleMortar (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Bronze, cast
Bronze
Casting
Brief description
Mortar, bell-metal, South Italy (Melfi), dated 1555
Physical description
Cylindrical, tapering towards the base, the lip moulded. The handles are formed by two lions upon projecting brackets. The outer surface is enriched with six vertical bands of leaves.
Dimensions
  • Height: 10.3cm
  • Rim diameter: 13.2cm
  • Base diameter: 7.8cm
  • Width: 18cm
  • Weight: 2689g
Object history
Bought from N. Bear, London, £6.
Production
South Italy, Melfi
Subject depicted
Lions
Summary
The 16th-century Italian mortar is of cylindrical shape, tapering towards the base with a moulded lip. The handles are formed by two lions upon projecting brackets. The outer surface is enriched with six vertical bands of leaves.

This is one of a group of related mortars, two of which have inscriptions linking them to Melfi, a bronze-founding centre for the northern Basilicata region, south-east of Naples.
Bibliographic references
  • Inventory of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in the Years 1903 - 1904. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum, During the Year 1903, Arranged According to the Dates of Acquisition with Appendix and Indices. London: Printed for His Majesty's Stationery Office, by Wyman and Sons, Limited, 1907, p. 52
  • Motture, Peta. Bells and Mortars. Catalogue of the Italian Bronzes in the Victoria and Albert Museum. London, 2001, pp. 196-97, cat. no 69.
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
318-1903

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 Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis.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 createdNovember 11, 2008
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O172154/mortar-mortar-unknown/
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest