Mortar with IHS symbol
Mortar
ca. 1460-1500 (made)
ca. 1460-1500 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This bell metal mortar bears the IHS symbol associated with S.Bernardino of Siena, a Franciscan friar renowned for his preaching. In his youth he assisted in helping the victims of an outbreak of plague in Siena suggesting that his association with a mortar used for preparing medicines is appropriate. However mortars were also used to grind incense so this object could also have had a sacred function.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Mortar with IHS symbol |
| Materials and techniques | Bell-metal |
| Brief description | Embossed with ihs and strips of foliage; Bronze Italian 15c |
| Physical description | Bell-metal. Conical mortar with spreading rim, recessed inside and small, reeded, semi-circular handle. The rim encircled by a cable pattern. On the body, six pilasters decorated with candelabra or stylized vases and flowers, the panels designed to fit the body between the rim and an astragal delineating the foot; opposite the handle, the sacred monogram of Christ, IHS, encircled with flames. Slightly concave foot with scotia at the bottom. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Dr W.L Hildburgh, F.S.A. |
| Object history | Given by Dr W.L Hildburgh, F.S.A. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This bell metal mortar bears the IHS symbol associated with S.Bernardino of Siena, a Franciscan friar renowned for his preaching. In his youth he assisted in helping the victims of an outbreak of plague in Siena suggesting that his association with a mortar used for preparing medicines is appropriate. However mortars were also used to grind incense so this object could also have had a sacred function. |
| Bibliographic reference | Motture, Peta. Bells & Mortars. Catalogue of Italian Bronzes in the Victoria and Albert Museum. London: 2001, pp.69-70, cat. no. 2. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.26-1938 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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