Rare Romanesque Medieval Double-Bowled Apothecary Mortar
A highly unusual and unique Romanesque medieval stone mortar, dating to the 13th–15th century.
Carved from coarse limestone or sandstone. Featuring four worn lug handles and shallow crescent moon shaped arcading to the outer surface.
This substantial vessel presents a deep concave bowl, unusually - on both above and below—each equally well-formed. Unlike standard single-bowl mortars of the period, this rare example may have been purpose-made for apothecary or herbalist use, allowing two types of herbs or compounds to be prepared separately using the same tool. The symmetry of the design suggests it was conceived this way from the outset, making it an exceptionally rare survivor of functional innovation in medieval material culture.
Original: $2,128.91
-70%$2,128.91
$638.67
Description
A highly unusual and unique Romanesque medieval stone mortar, dating to the 13th–15th century.
Carved from coarse limestone or sandstone. Featuring four worn lug handles and shallow crescent moon shaped arcading to the outer surface.
This substantial vessel presents a deep concave bowl, unusually - on both above and below—each equally well-formed. Unlike standard single-bowl mortars of the period, this rare example may have been purpose-made for apothecary or herbalist use, allowing two types of herbs or compounds to be prepared separately using the same tool. The symmetry of the design suggests it was conceived this way from the outset, making it an exceptionally rare survivor of functional innovation in medieval material culture.
