Chinese Grinding Bowl with Wheel

An iron boat that grinds drugs and spices.

Chinese smiths of Hebei Province forged this grinding bowl with wheel in iron in the 20th century. Iron trough-and-wheel mills such as these are commonly used to crush herbs, medicines or spices, as the wheel is rolled back and forth by hand. The long, boat-shaped trough is dark and smoothly worn, with a flat wheel set in its center on a short handle. The surface is a brown, aged black.

About 34 inches long. A heavy conversation piece, with a job history.