Cosmetics Mortar

Unknown

10th–12th century · Bronze; cast · Islamic Art

Objects like this, with a small well, flanged handles and a long horizontal spout, have been theorized to be many different things—from lamps to baby feeders. It seems most likely, however, that the hemispherical body was used for as a mortar for crushing cosmetic materials, which would then have been poured down the spout into small flasks.

Artist

Unknown

Date

10th–12th century

Medium

Bronze; cast

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1939