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Description
A Mediterranean bronze mortar, probably Italian, but, possibly, Spanish. It has a date scratched into the metal below the upper rim. Its somewhat obscure, but appears , I think, to be 1626, which would be in keeping with the form and details of the piece. The tapered sides of the exterior are covered with a seven times repeat of a squatting figure with its arms raised vertically above its head. The figure is not clearly detailed, but the posture is one that appears often in Medieval depictions of devils. The mortar is in very good condition, with a fine, dark, untouched patina, and minor signs of age and use.
