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Spanish stone mortar

© 2021 Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Description

This mortar is believed to have originated from a nunnery in Cadiz, Spain, where it may have been used to prepare medicines in the hospital dispensary. The mortar is bowl shaped with four projecting lobes on the rim, which are fluted on the outside. The mortar waist is ornamented with four sections of decoration:

1. a dog and hare;
2. two men wearing cocked hats, with drawn swords;
3. a young man and woman shown full front, feet turned left and right. The woman has a spread fan and flowers;
4. a double headed eagle under a crown or tiara.

Fact

Monasteries and nunneries dispensed medicinal herbs to people living in the surrounding area and can be seen as the forerunners of today’s community pharmacies.