Brass Mortar & Pestle: Victorian?

Discussion in 'Metalware' started by CasperFrazz, Aug 21, 2020.

  1. CasperFrazz

    CasperFrazz New Member

    Hello everyone!
    this is my first thread and firstly I want to thank you all in advance for the time you dedicate to answer all the questions in this forum.

    I acquired this brass mortar and pestle as a decorative piece for my painting studio. I was wondering if you can help me understanding it's age, and if there are elements that helps identifying the period when it could have been made?

    Could it be Victorian? I've left a few images attached.

    Many thanks again
    Casper
     

    Attached Files:

    CasperFrazz, Aug 21, 2020
    #1
    Shangas, NewEngland and Any Jewelry like this.
  2. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Welcome Casper. I will tag another member for you, @Shangas .:)
     
    Any Jewelry, Aug 21, 2020
    #2
    Bakersgma likes this.
  3. CasperFrazz

    CasperFrazz New Member

    Many thanks for your welcome message! Looking forward to hear what Shangas has to say :) have a good day
     
    CasperFrazz, Aug 21, 2020
    #3
    Any Jewelry likes this.
  4. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    These are still being made and sold in Spain. Could well be a nice souvenir.

    Debora
     
    Debora, Aug 21, 2020
    #4
  5. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    upload_2020-8-21_12-21-18.jpeg
     
    komokwa, Aug 21, 2020
    #5
    Any Jewelry likes this.
  6. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    [​IMG]
     
    Any Jewelry, Aug 21, 2020
    #6
    komokwa likes this.
  7. CasperFrazz

    CasperFrazz New Member

    Thanks Debora, to me it doesn’t look to be a modern souvenir, it’s too well made, but I could be wrong! Are there any details from these shots you shared that I am missing? @Any Jewelry and @komokwa
     
    CasperFrazz, Aug 21, 2020
    #7
    Any Jewelry likes this.
  8. Shangas

    Shangas Underage Antiques Collector and Historian

    OH EETZ GAWGUSS!! :nailbiting::nailbiting::nailbiting:

    OK. I think it's antique. Victorian at the very least. It has details on it which you don't find on modern M&P sets. The rings carved into the base and sides, for example. Those are an extra, decorative element, that most modern manufacturers wouldn't bother with.

    Also, you can see the bumps and dents and dings. It speaks of a life of regular (and probably quite heavy) use. This is something that's been dragged around, knocked over, dinged up, ground, crunched, wham-wham-wham-wham!!...it's a beautiful object to be sure, and one with a storied past known only to itself.
     
    Shangas, Aug 22, 2020
    #8
    CasperFrazz, Bakersgma and Any Jewelry like this.
  9. Shangas

    Shangas Underage Antiques Collector and Historian

    OK. I've finished fanboying over it...

    The mortar is obviously lathe-spun. You can see the marks on it. The pestle would've been made the same way. I think it's a gorgeous, lovely piece of antique brassware and definitely has significant age. Whether it's Victorian or Georgian, we may never know, but it is a nice, big size and in wonderful condition. I would add it to my collection, if I could.
     
    Shangas, Aug 22, 2020
    #9
    CasperFrazz and Any Jewelry like this.
  10. CasperFrazz

    CasperFrazz New Member

    Thanks @Shangas ,
    That’s lots of details and I’m very happy that is not a contemporary piece.
     
    CasperFrazz, Aug 22, 2020
    #10
    Any Jewelry likes this.
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