Mortar
ca. 1480-1550 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The figures in this mortar possibly represents the chemical wedding, a crucial ritual in the preparation of the philosopher's stone and the creation process, based on classical and pre-Christian tradition. Although the unusual arrangement of the decoration on this mortar allows consideration of a specific use, some of the motifs appear on other mortars. These motifs all can be associated with north Italy, and have links with pieces produced by the Alberghetti foundry. The date of this mortar is thought to be the last part of the fifteenth century, however, precise dating is problematic due to the use of the form over a long period.
Object details
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | |
| Brief description | Mortar with dancing figures, bronze. Italian late 15c |
| Physical description | A conical mortar with two plain projecting handles. Decorated around the rim with guilloche between plain mouldings and, below, overlapping acanthus on a cyma recta moulding. On the body, a frieze of flying birds facing and alternating with exhaling cherub heads with two sets of wings, to either side of which is a tazza, vase or fountain (?) flanked by rosettes and dancing, naked figures. Moulded foot. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Alfred Williams Hearn Gift |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The figures in this mortar possibly represents the chemical wedding, a crucial ritual in the preparation of the philosopher's stone and the creation process, based on classical and pre-Christian tradition. Although the unusual arrangement of the decoration on this mortar allows consideration of a specific use, some of the motifs appear on other mortars. These motifs all can be associated with north Italy, and have links with pieces produced by the Alberghetti foundry. The date of this mortar is thought to be the last part of the fifteenth century, however, precise dating is problematic due to the use of the form over a long period. |
| Bibliographic reference | Motture, Peta. Bells and Mortars. Catalogue of Italian Bronzes in the Victoria and Albert Museum. London, 2001. pp. 109-110. cat. no. 21. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.22-1923 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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