Brass Antique Mortar and Pestle

This handsome mortar and pestle set, made circa 1850 in England, is heavy, solid brass. The mortar (bowl) has a stepped base and incised rings below the flared rim. The pinhole on the bottom shows that it was turned on a lathe. The pestle has shapely turnings and incised lines at the center and at each end. They are both golden-yellow in color.

The mortar stands 4 5/8 inches high and measures 5 1/2 inches across the rim with a 3 3/4 inch diameter base. It weighs 3 pounds, 9 ounces. The pestle is 8 1/4 inches long and weighs 2 pounds. Together they weigh almost 6 pounds. Like almost all antique mortar and pestles, they are unmarked as to maker.

Having been used for well over a century grinding medicines at the chemist's / apothecary's shop or herbs and spices in the kitchen, both pieces are in superb condition. Both heads of the pestle have small nicks and dents on their surfaces and scratches and pitting on shaft. The upper rim of the mortar has two nicks along the edge and to areas where it is ever so slightly indented. It too has the typical tiny pits in the brass. The pits are darker than the color of the brass, indicating they were made a long time ago. We mention this wear only for accuracy and evidence of many years of us; both pieces of the set look wonderful and display beautifully.

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PYH 5563