Mortar

Add to album

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

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-100-000-092-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: 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
  
• References:
• Translations:
• Related Records: