ca. 1100 AD. Seljuk. Beautiful bronze mortar and pestle. The mortar comprises an out-turned rim, cylindrical body and stepped-in foot. The body is decorated with two tiers of staggered almond-shaped bosses and repeating pseudo-calligraphic friezes at the top and bottom. The pestle features a knobbed handle, cylindrical shaft and rounded base. This beautiful object may have been used in the kitchen for food preparation, or for the mixing of medicines by a medieval doctor. The Seljuks were a Turkic dynasty who swept out of Central Asia in the early 10th century and conquered an enormous expanse, covering most or all of present-day Turkmenistan, Iran, Iraq, Turkey and beyond. After inflicting crushing military defeats on a host of rivals, the most famous of which was perhaps that against the Byzantines at the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, the Seljuk sultans became major patrons of art and architecture. Excellent condition; beautiful patina.Size: L:Set of 2:120 - 195mm / W:50 - 130mm ; 4.5kg; Provenance: From the important collection of a London doctor A.R; passed by descent to his son; formerly acquired the 1980s on the UK art market.