English Bell-Metal Mortar and Pestle, inscribed ‘THOMAS PIGEON 1639’. Manufactured at an unidentified foundry, Coventry, Warwickshire

Description

English bell-metal mortar and pestle, manufactured at an unidentified foundry in Coventry, Warwickshire.
The mortar rim is inscribed ‘THOMAS PIGEON 1639’, with the ‘S’ and ‘N’ reversed. Thomas Pigeon was an apothecary based in Coventry, Warwickshire. He became mayor of Coventry in 1661, and died in 1664.
The waist is decorated with a central band of circular stamps; some with a cross, others a rosette.
The base is bulging, above which are two moulded rings. This mortar still has its pestle.