The Mortar Room

This is the principal room of the Museum and is dedicated to the most ancient and irreplaceable instrument used by old-time chemists: the mortar. The fruit of uncommon technical skill, often artistically decorated, the mortar has always held a strong symbolic value in the art of pharmacy. Commonly used until the beginning of the XIX century, it became afterwards a much sought after collector’s piece to be displayed in laboratories and chemist’s shops.

Many of the items shown in this room are complete with their own pestle and have been chosen amongst the most significant pieces in the Museum’s collection. Along the walls are displayed some bronze and stone mortars of the highest artistic and technical value while a range of small bronze, alabaster, wood and ivory mortars are exhibited in the glass cabinets.

In this room are also projected the most beautiful botanic images taken from the books of Bibliotheca Antiqua. Ancient texts complete with xilographies are shown in the glass cases in the centre part of the room. Along the walls we find big panels which In the top, an image gallery shows the most important protagonists of the history of botany and medicine.

HISTORICAL PHYLOSOPHICAL EXTENSION >>