16th or 17th C? Spanish Renaissance Bronze Mortar and Pestle Ribbed Fin Judaica Antiquity

Details

Description

Offered is an exceptional, museum-grade 16th to 17th-century Spanish Renaissance (Hispano-Moresque) cast bronze or heavy brass alloy miniature mortar and … Read more Offered is an exceptional, museum-grade 16th to 17th-century Spanish Renaissance (Hispano-Moresque) cast bronze or heavy brass alloy miniature mortar and pestle set. This highly sought-after form features a distinct flared, bucket-shaped body typical of early Western European metalwork. The exterior wall is intricately cast with multiple prominent vertical cooling fins (ribs), flanked by bands of deeply hand-stamped, punched crescent or C-scroll field punch work running in vertical columns down the seams and lower waist.

The piece exhibits an integrated, singular pierced loop handle on one side, holding an early iron or heavy metal split-ring wire loop for suspension—a classical design trait of early portable apothecary or household spice vessels. It retains an incredible, authentic, untouched dark olive-gold aged patina with rich under-layers of historical oxidation, minor copper verdigris traces on the underside base, and deep surface compression from centuries of honest handling. The matching baluster-form pestle shows an early hand-turned center flange ring and bulbous ends, displaying corresponding historical wear and strike-pitting on the grinding surface.

Origin: Spain / Southern Western Europe (Hispano-Moresque Style)

Age: circa 1550–1650 (Late 16th to Early 17th Century)

Material: Cast Bell Metal Bronze / Heavy Brass Alloy, Iron Wire Ring

Weight: 1 lb 9.9 oz (Total combined)

Dimensions: Mortar: Approximately 2.5" High x 2.3" Top Rim Diameter; Pestle: Approximately 4.25" Long

Provenance: Sourced from J. Greenstein auction house

Reference
Book Title: Early European Cast Bronze Mortars Author: Robert Kopany Page & Plate Reference: See pages 74–79, detailing Western European (Iberian and French) Renaissance vertical-ribbed varieties featuring punched decorative scrollwork matrices and singular suspension loops. See less