A Large English or French Limestone Octagonal Open Mortar (1500 to 1700 French or English )

Limestone

46.00cm wide 38.00cm high (18.11 inches wide14.96 inches high)

Provenance: Ex English private collection
See: Finch & Co catalogue no.3, item no. 3, for an example of a large English liguum vitae wood mortar

Mortars vary in size from large font shape floor standing types such as this example that were utilized in great households down to small 3 or 4 inch specimens used by apothecaries for individual prescriptions and domestically for spices and herbs.

A Large English or French Limestone Octagonal Open Mortar
Decorated with four integral carved limestone balls.
Late 16th – Early 17th Century

Size: 38cm high, 46cm wide, 46cm deep – 15 ins high, 18 ins wide, 18 ins deep