Mortar

12th century

Not on view

The function of this type of metal objects, with their hemispherical cup and the long, narrow spout, is not clear. They may have been used either in jewelry-making, to melt precious metals and flow them into molds; or, in the preparation of cosmetics, to crush kohl or similar substances and pour them into narrow-necked toilet flasks.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Title: Mortar
Date: 12th century
Geography: Attributed to Iran
Medium: Bronze; cast and engraved
Dimensions: H. 7 3/16 in. (18.3 cm)
W. 5 in. (12.7 cm)
D. 1 7/16 in. (3.7 cm)
Wt. 8.4 oz. (238.2 g)
Classification: Metal
Credit Line: Anonymous Gift, 1974
Object Number: 1974.370.1
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

In the same medium

From the same time and place

Standing Figure with Jeweled Headdress, Gypsum plaster; modeled, carved, polychrome-painted, gilded — Standing Figure with Jeweled Headdress
12th–early 13th century

Small desk with folding top (bureau brisé), Alexandre-Jean Oppenordt Dutch, Oak, pine, walnut veneered with ebony, rosewood, and marquetry of tortoiseshell and engraved brass; gilt bronze and steel, French, Paris — Small desk with folding top (bureau brisé)
Marquetry by Alexandre-Jean Oppenordt
Designer Designed and possibly engraved by Jean Berain
ca. 1685

"Jonah and the Whale", Folio Probably from a Jami al-Tavarikh (Compendium of Chronicles), Ink, opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper — "Jonah and the Whale", Folio Probably from a Jami al-Tavarikh (Compendium of Chronicles)
ca. 1400

Commode, André Charles Boulle French, Walnut veneered with ebony, marquetry of engraved brass and tortoiseshell, gilt-bronze mounts, verd antique marble, French — Commode
André Charles Boulle
ca. 1710–20

Luster Bowl with Winged Horse, Stonepaste; luster-painted on opaque monochrome glaze — Luster Bowl with Winged Horse
late 12th century

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.