18th C. Spanish Bronze Mortar, Trinidadian Seabed Salvage, Apocryphally from Apodaca Fleet

This 18th century Spanish bronze mortar is an intriguing piece that came from the salvage effects of Trinidad Texaco; an oil drilling company that was operating in the area from 1913 to 1985. 

This bronze mortar was apocryphally believed to be salvaged from a Spanish fleet; certainly the age and damage to this mortar suggests that it went through “fire and flood”.  Its provenance is attributed to the defeat of the Spanish fleet in 1797 when, at a critical moment in the history of Trinidad, Britain took control of the island from Spain. This historic moment was iconically represented by the loss of most of the Spanish fleet, set on fire by its admiral, Sebastián Ruiz de Apodaca, to prevent its capture by the British. 

While the age and general characteristics of this mortar bear out its possible origins, we are presenting this as the intriguing piece that it certainly is: an 18th century Spanish bronze mortar salvaged off the coast of Trinidad sometime during the 20th century. We have found similar examples dating from the 16th to 18th centuries with a price range commensurate with our estimate; we believe that its possible provenance makes this piece more, rather than less desirable. 

Measurements: 13.5cm opening diameter, 10cm base diameter, 11cm height.

Condition: fair antique condition (as an item salvaged off the seabed) with historical damage- a sizeable crack as well as wear and chips to the rim.