Neoclassical Medicinal Mortar & Pestle Set Lignum Vitae - c. 1800 (5 LB 12.3 OZ)

Description

Neoclassical medicinal mortar and pestle set from lignum vitae. Scarce. Original. Heavy at about 5 LB and 12.3 OZ.
Year produced –
c. 1800. This is a museum quality set in very good condition. It has a ‘neat,’ uncomplicated, tapering form with some linear ornamentation. Its dark brown color mortar wood and pestle wood are a perfect match.
The set was manufactured
from old growth, thick, lignum vitae wood well over two hundred years ago.
The wood itself is very heavy, dense, and uncommonly dark from oxidation. The mortar tapers down in two segments to a broader base segment.
The rounded pestle tapers down to a shaped handle designed for efficiency and comfort.
About lignum vitae:
Highly valued lignum vitae wood is from familial trees native to New World tropics. In preindustrial times the very durable lignum vitae was frequently used for distinct purposes as in the assembly of sailing ships by shipwrights. The wood type was so practical and valuable that it was salvaged for recycling after such a ship was taken out of service.
Weight:
Mortar 4 LB and 12.2 OZ EST. Pestle 1 LB 0.1 OZ EST. Mortar and Pestle Set 5 LB and 12.3 OZ EST.
Dimensions:
Mortar 8.5” EST (height). 5.25” EST (mortar outside of rim diameter). 5.5” EST (mortar outside of base diameter). Pestle 9.5” EST (length).
Condition:
Antique mortar and pestle set from lignum vitae wood in very good overall condition.
It has a long and shallow crack from its oxidation over the span of time. Durable. Original.