A cast bronze mortar and pestle secured to a wooden base. The mortar, or bowl, is shaped like an upside-down bell. The foot of the mortar is undecorated. The body of the mortar is decorated with raised floral patterns along the top just below the lip. Swags of flowers and leaves surround the middle of the body. Just above the foot is a pattern of upside-down “v” shapes that overlap to create smaller “v’s” below. At the apex of the larger “v” shapes are small arrow tips. Sitting inside the mortar is the pestle. The round, flat end used for crushing sits in the bowl and tapers upward to form a handle.
Unknown
Mortar and Pestle,
Casted bronze, three piece mould
Object details
Accession number
M16c11.a-b
Primary Creator
Unknown
Full title
Mortar and Pestle
Creation Date
Provenance
Purchased by Isabella Stewart Gardner from the antiques dealer Antonio Carrer, Venice on 25 September 1897 for 96 lire.
Display Media
Casted bronze, three piece mould
Web Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.
Permanent Gallery Location
Raphael Room
Rights and reproductions
The use of images, text, and all other media found on this website is limited. Please review Rights and Reproductions for details.
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.