Pharmacy mortar. Possibly, Spain; 1823.
Bronze.
Bronze mortar with extruded mouth, frustoconical body with slight inversion and base enhanced by flat areas flanked by simple smooth moldings. These give way to a wide strip in which the decoration is concentrated, enhanced and framed by two other sculptures under the strip occupied by the inscription ("IHS Maria I Josef Ano de 1823"), which appears with other decorative elements. The decoration of the aforementioned wide strip consists of a series of balusters enhanced with smooth moldings, alternating with triangular elements located at the ends of the strip (under those moldings that frame the strip). These same geometric elements are featured on the inscription strip.
On the one hand, pharmacy mortars do not usually have an inscription that dates them and provides some details about their origin or relationship. The names refer to the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph, while the “IHS” is the monogram of Christ (extended by Saint Bernard, used by Saint Vincent Ferrer and Saint Bernardino of Siena, adopted by Saint Ignatius of Loyola and emblem for it of the Society of Jesus, etc.); thus, it could be said that it is presented to the Holy Family. For this reason, the legend suggests a religious environment, since similar texts are found in other metal objects of this origin (bell of the Quintana Collection of the Joaquín Díaz Foundation, the bell of the old Hospital of San Carlos de San Fernando de Cádiz made in 1796, bell of the Cathedral of San Antolín de Palencia in 1810, etc.).
These balusters in relief reflect a clear influence of Baroque models (heir, in turn, of the medieval ribs), combined with elements that respond more to Neoclassicism (moldings, smooth areas, etc.). The geometric elements are a particularity seen in some Spanish bells more or less contemporary to the work.
Although they were also used in the kitchen, the decorative elements of the present one lead us to think that, more likely, it would have been created to highlight the economic potential of its owner, making us opt for a possible use in a pharmacy. Examples as prominent as this mortar are only kept in pharmacies with a great tradition, such as the Royal Palace of Madrid, and in related institutions (Museo de la Farmacia Hispánica, Universidad Complutense, Madrid)
Weight: 40 kg."
· Size: 31,5x31,5x24 cms.
ANTIQUES
MISCELLANEOUS;BRONZE MORTARS