Mortar

This mortar would have been used to grind and mix ingredients for medicines and food. Metal mortars of this type are often referred to as Spanish or Islamic, as there are large numbers of examples known from Spain and Portugal. The form of these vessels changed little between the eleventh to sixteenth centuries, making dating sometimes difficult.

This object is on display

Object type

Medical and First Aid Equipment

Date

Production: 1100 - 1500

Subject(s)

Bearers of the Cross
Hospitals
Medicine

Dimensions

Height: 125mm
Diameter: 170mm

Materials and technique

Cast bronze

References

Bofill, Francisco. Catálogo de los Almireces Colección Palacio de Perelada. Biblioteca Palacio Perelada, 1967.

Lewis, J. M. "A Medieval Brass Mortar from South Wales and its Affinities." The Antiquaries Journal 64 (1984), 326-336.

Exhibition history

Science and Technology in Islam, World of Islam Festival, Science Museum, 1976

Catalogue number

5682