Whether in the kitchen or in the pharmacy, the mortar was and still is a popular tool. Grinding, crushing, grinding: it can do a lot, and has been doing so for a very long time. In the pharmacy, it was used to make medicines. In the kitchen, it was used to crush ingredients. But the mortar is also a symbol of pharmacy - as a decoration on a coat of arms or as a magnificent anniversary gift.
The special exhibition "Mortars" explores the question of why there are so many different mortars and how they were used. The recipe is often decisive, as whether a stone or bronze mortar is used usually depends on what is to be processed.
Mortars made of bronze or brass were traditionally cast like bells or guns. The exhibition is the first to present the Roth and Weitnauer foundry families, who lived in Basel for a long time and whose craft shaped the Basel area for centuries.
The special exhibition "Mortars" explores the question of why there are so many different mortars and how they were used. The recipe is often decisive, as whether a stone or bronze mortar is used usually depends on what is to be processed.
Mortars made of bronze or brass were traditionally cast like bells or guns. The exhibition is the first to present the Roth and Weitnauer foundry families, who lived in Basel for a long time and whose craft shaped the Basel area for centuries.
