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Bronze Mortar and Pestle - LO.1171, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 800 AD to 1100 AD, Dimensions: 1.5" (3.8cm) high x 2" (5.1cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Islamic, Medium: Quarternary Bronze. Bronze mortars were unknown to the cultures of the Mediterranean area and the Middle East in pre-Islamic times and were probably developed in Persia in the 10th century as copies of cruder stone prototypes. Mortars were used for pounding small amounts of food, such as spices or herbs in cookery, and were also an important item of alchemical and pharmaceutical equipment. The mortar here illustrated might have been used for medical purposes, given the small size.
Antiquities
Ancient Near East
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