English Mortar

by · Published · Updated

Material: Leaded bronze.
Dimensions: Height: 5 5/8″ (14.3cm), Diameter: 6 7/8″ (17.5cm).
Place of Origin: England.
Date: circa 1550-1600.
Maker or Retailer: Unknown.
Present Location: Private Collection.

Explanation:

The simplicity of decoration and the overall style of this leaded bronze mortar suggest that it is of English origin and manufactured sometime during the latter half of the 16th century.  However, the five vertical ribs on the upper part of its outer surface are rarely found on English mortars, but are certainly not unknown; for an example, see mortar number 4 on page 11 of Michael Finlay’s reference work below.

The letters have distinctive “fork” shaped serifs that are unusual, but somewhat similar to letters used by Anthony Wakefield and James Giles of Chichester.  At first sight, the initial letter appears to be an “M”, but given the placement of the serifs, it is likely to have been made by a letter “E” stamp.  It’s placement may have been by design, to represent a letter “M”, or by mistake when trying to represent a letter “E”.  Many founders from that era are thought to have been, at best, only semi-literate and examples of their confusion about which way up to use their stamps may be seen in drawings 270 and 271 on page 237 of the reference.

Reference:

English Decorated Bronze Mortars and their Makers. Finlay, M., 2010. ISBN 13 9781872477022. Plains Books.

Leave a Reply

error: This content is copyright and protected !!