Small Bronze mortar, SE Asia, 19th c. or earlier

$195.00 AUD

Heavy cast footed cup or apothecary mortar, formed as a bell-shape bowl on narrow foot, the side inscribed, possibly in Burmese script.  

19th century 

Good antique condition with signs of age 

6cm high, 9.5cm wide 

 

This interesting piece is identical to European apothecary vessels of the 17th-18th century; if it is of South-East Asian manufacture, it was copying an imported Dutch example – or quite possibly it is a 17th-18th century ‘trade good’, brought to South-East Asia by European traders seeking to buy spices. The inscription is incised after the item was made, making the latter explanation very likely.

 

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Small Bronze mortar, SE Asia, 19th c. or earlier quantity

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