Antique Iron Mortar and Pestle Crude Design Apothecary Pharmacy Alchemy 19th C

Description

Antique iron Mortar & Pestle. I do not know the exact age of this piece, though it shows significant use wear and has a somewhat crude design, I would place it at between 1850 and 1900 but it could be older. Body shows some irregularity to the iron, as if some crinkling or folding when it was crafted and still hot as can be seen best in image 9. Piece is unusual as the bottom side shows circular rings, which leads me to believe it was at least partially machine made while the vessel section has more irregularity and appears to have been handmade. Mouth of the piece is not exactly circular and has a few chips. Base also shows some chips. Pestle likewise shows wear and looks like it was rolled when it was made. Diameter of the mouth of the mortar is about 5 1/2 inches, diameter of the base is about 5 1/4 inches. Height of the mortar is about 5 1/8 inches. Weight of the mortar alone is about 8 pounds. Pestle is about 7 3/4 inches long. Thicker end of pestle is about 1 5/8 inches, small end's diameter is about 1 3/16 inches. Pestle on its own weighs about 2 pounds. Together the mortar and pestle weigh about 10 pounds and stand about 8 1/2 inches tall with the pestle inside the mortar.