Northern Italian 17th Century Marble Mortar with Carved Owl Decoration
This uniquely beautiful Northern Italian mortar was carved from a solid block of Breccia marble. On each of the sides are four fancifully and intricately carved charming and expressive owls. This is a wonderful example of an everyday object made with beauty in mind, likely made for a noble families house in the North of Italy. Mortars were used in the kitchens or in apothecaries to crush herbs into powder for medicinal purposes. This highly sculptural and unique piece would be suitable today as a magnificent decoration on a table or mantle, or to grace the counter of an open kitchen design. Could also be used if desired!
Northern Italy, circa 1680
Size: 7" high x 13" diameter
This uniquely beautiful Northern Italian mortar was carved from a solid block of Breccia marble. On each of the sides are four fancifully and intricately carved charming and expressive owls. This is a wonderful example of an everyday object made with beauty in mind, likely made for a noble families house in the North of Italy. Mortars were used in the kitchens or in apothecaries to crush herbs into powder for medicinal purposes. This highly sculptural and unique piece would be suitable today as a magnificent decoration on a table or mantle, or to grace the counter of an open kitchen design. Could also be used if desired!
Northern Italy, circa 1680
Size: 7" high x 13" diameter
This uniquely beautiful Northern Italian mortar was carved from a solid block of Breccia marble. On each of the sides are four fancifully and intricately carved charming and expressive owls. This is a wonderful example of an everyday object made with beauty in mind, likely made for a noble families house in the North of Italy. Mortars were used in the kitchens or in apothecaries to crush herbs into powder for medicinal purposes. This highly sculptural and unique piece would be suitable today as a magnificent decoration on a table or mantle, or to grace the counter of an open kitchen design. Could also be used if desired!
Northern Italy, circa 1680
Size: 7" high x 13" diameter