Medicinal Mortar & Pestle Set Highly Figured Lignum Vitae c. 1850 (6LB 12.5 OZ)

Description

Large medicinal mortar and pestle set from highly figured lignum vitae. Original. Big and heavy at about 6 LB 12.5 OZ.
Year produced –
c. 1850. This is a museum quality set in very good condition. It has an uncomplicated bulbous form with some linear ornamentation. The set was manufactured from old growth, thick, lignum vitae wood. Its highly figured wood is a darkish brown color. The mortar wood and pestle wood are a perfect match. The wood itself is dense, heavy and highly figured. The mortar tapers down to a broader base segment.   The single ended pestle has a rounded handle.
About lignum vitae or “ironwood”:
Highly valued lignum vitae wood is from familial trees native to New World tropics. In preindustrial times the very durable lignum vitae was frequently used for distinct purposes as in the assembly of sailing ships by shipwrights. The wood type was so practical and valuable that it was salvaged for recycling after such a ship was taken out of service.
Weight:
Mortar 5 LB and 1.9 OZ EST. Pestle 1 LB 10.6 OZ EST. Mortar and Pestle Set 6 LB and 12.5 OZ EST.
Dimensions:
Mortar 8.5” EST (height). 7.75” EST (mortar outside of rim diameter). 5.75” EST (Mortar outside of base diameter) 5.75” EST. Pestle 10.5” EST (length).
Condition:
Antique mortar and pestle set from lignum vitae wood in very good overall condition. Original. Durable.