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Mortar

National Museum of American History

Object Details

Description
Carved stone mortar in two parts. The bottom portion of the mortar has two projecting handles and a carved circular bowl for the product. The bottom of the bowl has a triangular patter sectioned into quarters and an open shaft or spout where the finished product can flow out. The second piece is a round carved donut-shaped stone which fits into the bowl. It has the same carved geometric pattern on the bottom. Turning the top stone causes the abrasion from the carved triangular pattern to pulverize the material and subsequently pour out of the spout. Urdang states this mortar was found in France and dates from the 8th century.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of American Pharmaceutical Association and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
ID Number
1991.0664.0142
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05695
collector/donor number
SAP 407
Object Name
mortar
Physical Description
stone (overall material)
carved (overall production method/technique)
Measurements
overall: 12 cm x 32 cm x 25.5 cm; 4 3/4 in x 12 5/8 in x 10 1/16 in
Related Publication
Urdang, George and Ferdinand William Nitardy. The Squibb Ancient Pharmacy: A Catalogue of the Collection
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Medicine
European Apothecary
Art
National Museum of American History
Subject
Pharmacy
Record ID
nmah_994112
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a8-669f-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Related Content

  • Bristol-Myers Squibb European Apothecary

    American History Museum
Stone flat mortar
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
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