Mortar

A mortar is a very hard bowl in which substances are ground or pounded to a powder using a pestle. This bronze example, dated 1733, may have been used by a doctor to grind drugs, or by a cook for herbs and spices.

The sides of the mortar are divided into three moulded bands - the upper band is inscribed with the date 1733, the other two have leaf patterns.

18th and 19th century doctors played several medical roles by preparing the drugs they had prescribed. Some herbs could be collected in the countryside. Others were bought from apothecaries who themselves purchased wholesale drugs in London and Amsterdam.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-100-000-092-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland W.SFG 17
Date:	1500 - 1800 Around 1733
Material:	Bronze
Dimensions:	100 mm H x 115 mm Dia
What:
Subject:	The kitchen - cooking - mortars and mills (NMAS Classification)
Who:
Where:	Scotland, Dumfriesshire, Miln-holm
Event:
Description:	Bronze mortar, with two handles and two pairs of engraved lines round the body, 1500 - 1800, found at Miln-Holm, Dumfriesshire
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