Western Europe, France or England, Post Medieval period, ca. 16th to 17th century CE. This is a heavy cast bronze mortar and pestle that was probably used by an apothecary or pharmacist to grind up ingredients for medicine. To the sides are handles in a stylized dragon / lion mascaron form and there are great signs of heavy use to both pestle and mortar - the pestle head surface worn down and the interior basin pounded, and the handle details worn smooth from gripping. Although Europe was on the cusp of becoming more scientific, medicine from the Medieval period until the Enlightenment era remained largely unchanged from its classical roots, so these tools would almost certainly have belonged to a physician or even an alchemist. Size of mortar: 4.75" Diameter x 4.5" H (12.1 cm x 11.4 cm)

Provenance: private Greenwood Village, Colorado, USA collection

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#178757

Losses to surface and abrasions to pestle head, commensurate with age and use. Mortar has hairline fissures to exterior and abrasions / chips to base. Interior is smooth from use, minor abrasions.