Offered is an exceptional, museum-grade 16th to 17th-century Spanish Renaissance (Hispano-Moresque) cast bronze or heavy brass alloy miniature mortar and pestle set. This highly sought-after form features a distinct flared, bucket-shaped body typical of early Western European metalwork. The exterior wall is intricately cast with multiple prominent vertical cooling fins (ribs), flanked by bands of deeply hand-stamped, punched crescent or C-scroll field punch work running in vertical columns down the seams and lower waist.

The piece exhibits an integrated, singular pierced loop handle on one side, holding an early iron or heavy metal split-ring wire loop for suspension—a classical design trait of early portable apothecary or household spice vessels. It retains an incredible, authentic, untouched dark olive-gold aged patina with rich under-layers of historical oxidation, minor copper verdigris traces on the underside base, and deep surface compression from centuries of honest handling. The matching baluster-form pestle shows an early hand-turned center flange ring and bulbous ends, displaying corresponding historical wear and strike-pitting on the grinding surface.

• Origin: Spain / Southern Western Europe (Hispano-Moresque Style)

• Age: circa 1550–1650 (Late 16th to Early 17th Century)

• Material: Cast Bell Metal Bronze / Heavy Brass Alloy, Iron Wire Ring

• Weight: 1 lb 9.9 oz (Total combined)

• Dimensions: Mortar: Approximately 2.5" High x 2.3" Top Rim Diameter; Pestle: Approximately 4.25" Long

• Provenance: Sourced from J. Greenstein auction house

Reference

Book Title: Early European Cast Bronze Mortars Author: Robert Kopany Page & Plate Reference: See pages 74–79, detailing Western European (Iberian and French) Renaissance vertical-ribbed varieties featuring punched decorative scrollwork matrices and singular suspension loops.

Condition: Excellent As-Found Historical Antique Condition. This set features a completely untouched original patina with highly desirable authentic surfaces. No modern cleanings, polishings, or structural alterations have been performed. Minor historic pitting, typical casting flaws from primitive sand-casting methods, surface tool scars, and expected internal basin wear consistent with 400+ years of age. The split ring on the handle is stable and historically accurate to the piece.

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