Antique Stone Mortar with Four Lugs and Turned Fruitwood Pestle, Italy, 18th-19th Century

This is an antique stone mortar (Italian: mortaio). It’s a type of apothecary or kitchen mortar, used for grinding herbs, spices, medicines and pigments.

Hand-worked mortar in dark stone (possibly granite, not marble), with a shallow rounded bowl and four projecting corner lugs. The rim and lugs show chisel tooling.

Comes with a turned fruitwood pestle (pear or similar) with a warm dark patina. I cannot confirm it was originally made for this mortar, so the two are sold together as found.

Dimensions:

Mortar: 23cm x 23 cm x 8 cm height.

Pestle: length 20 cm

Probably 18th-19th century, based on form, tooling and wear. Stone mortars of this form were made across Italy and Europe from the late medieval period through to the 19th century.

The mortar shows signs of historical repairs which can be seen in the photos. The repair is sound and stable. Abrasions and weathering on the lugs and rim, consistent with age and use.

The pestle shows sings of historical worm but it has been treated again as an extra precaution

Sold as a decorative antique only. The pedestal in the photos is not included.

Unless individually specified, prices do not include delivery costs.

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