Description
Material: Bronze (coper alloy) with enamelling
Period: Iron age. Celtic
Date: 1st century AD
Origin: Britain. found Hertfordshire
Condition: Fine with green patina. one end of mortar missing
Description: Crescent-shaped pestle with attachment loop. together with matching mortar with recessed body and triangular decoration of enamelled cells.
Size and Weight: Pestle 5cm. mortar 5.6cm
References: cf with finds at the Portable Antiquities Scheme.
Features and Provenance: British found. sold by Noonan’s.
This is a rare opportunity to acquire a very special Iron Age pair of cosmetic grinders or woad pestle and mortar. They were used to grind herbs and pigments and the individual Celtic warrior would grind the woad pigments with a liquid and smear it on their face and body as an intimidation attempt before battle. They are rarely found together and the loops were used to attach to the belt for personal use.
Condition Summary. This varies with the age of the artefact and there are grades between
Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear. all parts of pattern etc present. visible and clear
Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief. all parts of pattern etc present. but may be worn
Fine (F). Wear on the artefact and parts of item and pattern etc may be missing or not visible
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