Mortar
Unknown Artist
19th century, after a 16th century Iberian model
Medium
Copper alloy, pale olive color.
Dimensions
H. 9.6 cm, diam. 7.3 cm (rim).
Classification
Metalwork
Culture
Spanish or Moroccan (?)
Department
Robert Lehman Collection
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
Accession Number
1975.1.1364
Art Historical Context
This petite mortar, crafted in the 19th century from alloy with its distinctive pale olive patina, echoes the refined metalwork of a 16th-century Iberian original. Standing just 9.6 cm high with a 7.3 cm rim diameter, its compact form was ideal for grinding spices, herbs, or pigments in household or apothecary settings. The smooth, lustrous surface highlights the durability and aesthetic appeal of copper alloys, for their malleability and resistance to corrosion in everyday use. Dating to Spain's Renaissance era influences—blended with possible Moroccan artistry due to historic cultural excha...