A huge iron mortar & pestle for ID and comments

fernando · 30th October 2018, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helleri

... I hope what I have laid out here was not too much of a bore to read through and that it is at least somewhat helpful...

By all means, a wealth of knowledge being poured and, as you would expect, my need of some time to digest all technicalities that you cared to pass through.
I am delighted with your explanation and thank you very much for that.
Unfortunately i don't seem to able to track its provenance: the seller has bought it in a chandelier factory (scrap lots, left overs, whatever) and that's as back as he will go.
... And no, there is no sign of seams or makers marks in the bottom; completely plain.

Richard G · 8th November 2018, 01:15 PM

I don't suppose we will ever know, but I would not rule out some large or commercial kitchen use, or bakery etc.
Attached, I hope, is a picture of a kitchen of an aristocratic home in the UK which seems to show a very large mortar, altho' dissimilar, to the right of the table facing you
Regards
Richard

fernando · 8th November 2018, 02:31 PM

Thank you for caring, Richard

.
If my eyes don't deceive me, that one is even taller than mine but apparently made of wood.
Still the conviction is that mine was made to grind something harder, to work on a static & industrial basis. With its weight (73 pounds without the pestle), the kitchen personal would find rather difficult to move it aside, when needed.

A. G. Maisey · 8th November 2018, 09:03 PM

Thank you very much for that spark test link , Helleri. This is something I have heard mention of a couple of times, but have never used, and my own test methods are good enough for my purposes, but the complete explanation you have linked to is very interesting, and a good addition to my 'tool box'.

Again, my thanks.

Richard G · 9th November 2018, 12:01 PM

Fernando,
I think the mortar itself is stone, standing on a wooden column, with an iron pestle.
Best wishes
Richard

fernando · 9th November 2018, 12:46 PM

Oh, i see now. What brought my attention in the first place was that the column looks like having been (deliberately) turned with effects similar the table next to it; perhaps a coincidence. This pestle set however seems to be the only period implement in this kitchen, judging by the shining copperware.
Pity the pictue is not larger. Can you read what is written in that black board, Richard ?; just curious.

Richard G · 10th November 2018, 06:15 PM

Fernando,
This is the kitchen of Burghley House in the UK. The house and kitchen were constructed in the early 17th Cent. and has not changed a lot since. The implements are all old, early 20th Cent. at the latest. The house is still owned and occupied by the same family but is regularly open to the public

The notice, rather prosaically reads:-
"It is expressly ordered by his
Lordship that no servants shall enter
the Kitchen except on business
or remain longer than is necessary
to perform what they have to do"

Above the sign there are the heads of fourteen turtles that were apparently regularly brought live to the kitchen to be slaughtered to make soup.

Best wishes
Richard

8th November 2018, 01:15 PM	#2
Richard G Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 411	I don't suppose we will ever know, but I would not rule out some large or commercial kitchen use, or bakery etc. Attached, I hope, is a picture of a kitchen of an aristocratic home in the UK which seems to show a very large mortar, altho' dissimilar, to the right of the table facing you Regards Richard Attached Images

8th November 2018, 02:31 PM	#3
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thank you for caring, Richard . If my eyes don't deceive me, that one is even taller than mine but apparently made of wood. Still the conviction is that mine was made to grind something harder, to work on a static & industrial basis. With its weight (73 pounds without the pestle), the kitchen personal would find rather difficult to move it aside, when needed.

8th November 2018, 09:03 PM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	Thank you very much for that spark test link , Helleri. This is something I have heard mention of a couple of times, but have never used, and my own test methods are good enough for my purposes, but the complete explanation you have linked to is very interesting, and a good addition to my 'tool box'. Again, my thanks.

9th November 2018, 12:01 PM	#5
Richard G Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 411	Fernando, I think the mortar itself is stone, standing on a wooden column, with an iron pestle. Best wishes Richard

9th November 2018, 12:46 PM	#6
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Oh, i see now. What brought my attention in the first place was that the column looks like having been (deliberately) turned with effects similar the table next to it; perhaps a coincidence. This pestle set however seems to be the only period implement in this kitchen, judging by the shining copperware. Pity the pictue is not larger. Can you read what is written in that black board, Richard ?; just curious.

10th November 2018, 06:15 PM	#7
Richard G Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 411	Fernando, This is the kitchen of Burghley House in the UK. The house and kitchen were constructed in the early 17th Cent. and has not changed a lot since. The implements are all old, early 20th Cent. at the latest. The house is still owned and occupied by the same family but is regularly open to the public The notice, rather prosaically reads:- "It is expressly ordered by his Lordship that no servants shall enter the Kitchen except on business or remain longer than is necessary to perform what they have to do" Above the sign there are the heads of fourteen turtles that were apparently regularly brought live to the kitchen to be slaughtered to make soup. Best wishes Richard