From front to rear: Stone mortar and pestle (handle of pestle, wood)
Brass mortar (1Q); pestle missing
Iron mortar and pestle, hand cast
Wood mortar and pestle
The mortar, in general, is a bell shaped vessel in which substances are pulverized. To accomplish this, a 'pestle' (the pounding instrument) is used. While prototypes of mortars and pestles may be traced to the Stone Age, wooden versions did not appear until centuries later. Today, glass and porcelain are the most common types used by pharmacists, who are required by law to have such equipment to compound U.S. Pharmacopeia and National Formulary preparations.
Brass mortar (1Q); pestle missing
Iron mortar and pestle, hand cast
Wood mortar and pestle
The mortar, in general, is a bell shaped vessel in which substances are pulverized. To accomplish this, a 'pestle' (the pounding instrument) is used. While prototypes of mortars and pestles may be traced to the Stone Age, wooden versions did not appear until centuries later. Today, glass and porcelain are the most common types used by pharmacists, who are required by law to have such equipment to compound U.S. Pharmacopeia and National Formulary preparations.