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37. Mortar and Pestle
Brass
Height: 21 cm
Twentieth century
Catalogue number 37.
Accession number 88.372.
The epitomy of a domestic utensil, the mortar and pestle are used for grinding roots, leaves, and spices for cooking food for the family. Yet another set of these utensils is reserved for the preparation of offerings for the gods in the home shrine. The mortar and pestle also serve in the iconography of wedding and menstrual rituals as stand-ins for appropriate sexual activity. Incised on this mortar is a row of eight seated figures.
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