Mortar

1790-1830

Measurements

9-1/8 in x 8 in (dia)

Materials

Lignum vitae

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, gift of Margaret I. Handy

Accession Number

1973.311

Inscription

H.BELL

Condition Notes

The rim of the mortar is uneven from wear.

Provenance

The accompanying history claims that the Bell stamp is that of the original owner, Henry Bell of Little Creek, Delaware, the grandfather of the donor.  A Henry Bell (dates unknown) is associated with the "Old Stone Tavern" (never a tavern), c. 1822, of Little Creek, Delaware, now owned by the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation.  Henry was a brother to John, for whom the stone house may have been built.  No connection between Henry Bell and the donor has yet been established.  Genealogical research indicates that the donor's grandfather was William M. Bell (1828-1915) of Smyrna.  The donor’s mother, Mary Corbit Bell (1857-1933), was said to have been named for Mrs. Daniel Corbit of Odessa.

Comments

The mortar, turned from a single piece of wood, is made of a dense and heavy hardwood, probably lignum vitae.  Lignum vitae originated in the Caribbean and was exported throughout the United States and Europe for a variety of purposes, notably ship rigging.  It was commonly used for mortars and pestles.  This mortar has a slightly bellied body as well as a defined base and a ring near the top.

The provenance places the mortar in the Smyrna, Delaware, area.  No individual has yet been linked to the "H Bell" stamp.  Based on the design of the stamp itself, the mortar was probably made in the early 19th century.

For work on the "Old Stone Tavern," see an unpublished study of that title produced in 2002 by the Center for Historic Architecture and Design, University of Delaware (https://udspace.udel.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/175a1651-ad68-443f-b58e-bff8535cea90/content).