Chinese Mortar or Grinding Vessel

A stone cylinder with a pale band of color, and a heavy history of grinding.

Craftspeople in Hunan Province, China, shaped this stone mortar or grinding vessel in the 19th century. Stone vessels like this were commonly used to pound or grind grain, herbs and spices. The tall, nearly straight sides hold a deep bowl, and a yellowish band runs around the middle. The gray stone is chipped and pitted, with rough, weathered patches and one chip near the rim.

About 23 inches tall and 18 inches across. A heavy planter-in-waiting for the garden.