Dr. Sidney Stohs Mortar and Pestle Collection

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The Dr. Sidney Stohs Mortar and Pestle Collection contains almost 200 mortars and pestles from North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa made of various metals, stones, glass, ceramics, wood, and other materials. The collection spans from the 15th to the 20th century. The collection is displayed on the upper level of the Health Sciences Library at Creighton University and is available for public viewing. Dr. Stohs served as Dean of Creighton University's School of Pharmacy and Health Professions from 1991 to 2003. Read more about Dr. Stohs at the Special Collections landing page for the collection

Greg Hollins of University Archives, Rare Books and Special Collections created the digital images of the collection. Descriptions are taken from an appraisal document created by John Buchanan at the time of the donation. Images may be downloaded and/or used for non-commercial use with attribution. For any other purpose, please contact Creighton’s University Archivist (archives@creighton.edu; 402.280.2216) to request permission. Whenever used, please credit “Dr. Sidney Stohs Mortar and Pestle Collection, Special Collections, Creighton University.”

Recent Submissions

Wood mortar and pestle, with brass plate inscribed "Sidney J. Stohs" and "Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson"

(2008)

Wood mortar and pestle, with brass plate inscribed "Sidney J. Stohs" and "Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson"
Tumbler shaped with straight sides iron mortar and double pestle American circa 1875.

(1875)

Tumbler shaped with straight sides iron mortar and double pestle American circa 1875. Mortar is 4 3/8" height and 4" diameter with 8" pestle.
Brass mortar and pestle, c1960, 4 from set of 10

(1960)

Ten assorted brass mortar and pestles. Mortars are approximately 3/4" to 2 1/2" height and 5/8" to 2 1/2" diameter and pestles are 1" to 8" length. Middle Eastern & European origin circa 1960.
Brass mortar and pestle, c1960, 3 from set of 10

(1960)

Ten assorted brass mortar and pestles. Mortars are approximately 3/4" to 2 1/2" height and 5/8" to 2 1/2" diameter and pestles are 1" to 8" length. Middle Eastern & European origin circa 1960.
Brass mortar and pestle, c1960, 1 from set of 10

(1960)

Ten assorted brass mortar and pestles. Mortars are approximately 3/4" to 2 1/2" height and 5/8" to 2 1/2" diameter and pestles are 1" to 8" length. Middle Eastern & European origin circa 1960.
Brass mortar and pestle, c1960, 2 from set of 10

(1960)

Ten assorted brass mortar and pestles. Mortars are approximately 3/4" to 2 1/2" height and 5/8" to 2 1/2" diameter and pestles are 1" to 8" length. Middle Eastern & European origin circa 1960.
Brass mortar and pestle, c1960, 5 from set of 10

(1960)

Ten assorted brass mortar and pestles. Mortars are approximately 3/4" to 2 1/2" height and 5/8" to 2 1/2" diameter and pestles are 1" to 8" length. Middle Eastern & European origin circa 1960.
Bronze mortar in semi-spool form with double pestle that has engraved lines and banded in center.

(1925)

Bronze mortar in semi-spool form with double pestle that has engraved lines and banded in center 6" length. Mortar is 3 1/8" diameter. India origin circa 1925.
Bronze mortar with flared base and engraved horizontal lines and branded pestle.

(1875)

Bronze mortar with flared base and engraved horizontal lines and branded pestle 4 3/8" length. Mortar is 2 3/8" height and 3 1/2" diameter. French circa 1875.
Spool form bronze mortar with pestle that has engraved lines and banded.

(1900)

Spool form bronze mortar with pestle that has engraved lines and banded 4 5/8" length. Mortar is 2 7/8" height and 3 1/4" diameter. European origin circa 1900.
Round bulbous body bronze mortar with bronze pestle.

(1850)

Round bulbous body bronze mortar with bronze pestle. Engraved horizontal lines in mortar body and has a pedestal base. American circa 1850. 5 1/4" height mortar and 6 1/4" diameter and pestle is 9" length.
Bronze mortar and pestle and mortar is of chalice form and engraved with palm tree and geometric design with steeped base.

(1850)

Bronze mortar and pestle and mortar is of chalice form and engraved with palm tree and geometric design with steeped base. 8 1/4" height and 5 3/4" diameter and pestle is 10 1/4" length. Middle East orgin and circa 1850.
Mortar and pestle formed from a red rock (unidentified) by the Anasazi American Indians

(1400)

Mortar and pestle formed from a red rock (unidentified) by the Anasazi American Indians circa 1400. 4" height and 8 5/8" diameter on mortar and 6 3/4" length on pestle.
Bronze mortar and pestle with the mortar being cup shaped with horizontal engraved lines and has rough texture.

(1825)

Bronze mortar and pestle with the mortar being cup shaped with horizontal engraved lines and has rough texture. 4 3/4" height and 4 1/2" diameter and pestle is 7 5/8" length. European circa 1825.
Bronze mortar and pestle and mortar is inverted bell shaped and has horizontal band and pedestal base.

(1850)

Bronze mortar and pestle and mortar is inverted bell shaped and has horizontal band and pedestal base. Mortar is 3 1/8" height and 4 1/2" diameter and pestle is 7 1/8" length and is banded in center. European circa 1850.
Bronze mortar and pestle with mortar having horizontal engraved lines and pedestal base.

(1850)

Bronze mortar and pestle with mortar having horizontal engraved lines and pedestal base. Mortar is 3 5/8" height and 5 7/8" diameter and banded pestle is 7 1/4" length. European circa 1850.
Bronze mortar that is chalice form and pestle that have engraved horizontal lines.

(1850)

Bronze mortar that is chalice form and pestle that have engraved horizontal lines. Mortar is 4 3/8" height and 3 7/8" diameter. Pestle is 7 7/16". European circa 1850.
Bronze mortar and pestle in wooden wall hanging case

(1900)

Bronze mortar and pestle in wooden wall hanging case. Mortar has horizontal engraved lines and is 3 1/4" height and 5" diameter. Pestle is 7 1/4" length. American circa 1900.
Bronze mortar and pestle and mortar are in chalice form with steeped base.

(1850)

Bronze mortar and pestle and mortar are in chalice form with steeped base. 7 1/4" height and 5 1/4" diameter on mortar and double pestle banded in center and is 8 1/4" length. European circa 1850.
Bronze mortar in chalice form and pestle with band in center.

(1850)

Bronze mortar in chalice form and pestle with band in center. Engraved horizontal lines in mortar with vertical etched decor. Mortar is 4 13/16" height and 4 3/16" diameter and pestle is 8" length. European circa 1850.