Europe, ca. 16th to 17th centuries CE. This is a pair of heavy cast bronze pharmacy mortars, both with head designs. Mortars of this style were made throughout western Europe, with similar examples coming from Spain, Italy, France, Germany, and Holland. One of the two is of a simpler design, with four low-relief lion heads spaced out at varying heights around its middle. The other has ribs/columns separated by ornate heads that appear to show a classical male figure with a laurel wreath and beard. Medical practitioners during this time period -- who today we would not recognize as doctors -- would have used mortars like these combined with pestles to make up medicines, many of which did more harm than good. Size: 4.5" W x 2.5" H (11.4 cm x 6.4 cm).

Provenance: Ex-Paul and Louise Bernheimer, Cambridge, MA and Laguna Woods, CA, acquired before 1980.

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#111874

Both intact