Printed from Woolley & Wallis

Description

A FASCINATING BRONZE MORTAR / DRY MEASURE

C.1600 OR POSSIBLY EARLIER

of quart capacity, having a plain tapering straight-sided drum, moulded rim and splayed foot rim, the rare twin-handle formed from two stylistic bearded dragons, each of slightly different design

16.8cm high, 12.9cm diameter

Catalogue Note

Extensive research has presented a significant challenge regarding regional provenance, with no conclusive conclusion. At first glance the design hints at Chinese, but this has been dismissed by former consultation with the Victoria & Albert Metalware Department. European manufacture is a possibility. Dragon handles are found on a Henry VII gallon measure, dated 1497, in the Winchester Museum Collection. Further comparisons can be made with single-handled mortars by Endorfer I & II of Innsbruck, Austria, dated 1538/39 (see Der Mörser). Together with a Swiss example, by Friedrich Von Salis, dated 1580. Scandinavia has also been suggested, along with Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) but no comparable features cited.