An exceptionally rare 13th century Gothic bronze mortar, English, or possibly Scottish, circa 1250

With four handles, two with suspension rings (for use over a fire) and pairs of split-column pilasters, 29cm across handles, 23cm diameter, 16cm high Provenance: Robert Spalding Collection The Christopher Bangs Collection Literature: This mortar is discussed and illustrated M. Finlay 'English Decorated Bronze Mortars & their Makers' (2010), p. 16, fig. 9 A comparable mortar, with a monastic background, excavated at Barnwell Priory, Cambridgeshire, in 1872, and formerly in the collection of a pharmacist, Cromer, Norfolk is illustrated Ibid., p. 15, fig. 7. Another, in the Mark Munson Collection, is illustrated p. 16, fig. 8. The author illustrates two further examples, both excavated in Glasgow, p. 16, figures 10 & 11. The former, found in the crypt of Glasgow Cathedral, in 1993, is particularly comparable to this Lot. - Stock Ref:9065-27