Chinese Stone Grinding Vessel

Dark stone, a rounded belly, and a ridge like the stitching on a baseball.

Stoneworkers of Shanxi Province, China, made this grinding vessel from stone in the mid to late 19th century. Hand-cut mortars like this were commonly used in households for crushing seeds, spices and medicines. The body bulges below a short, thick lip and narrows to a plain base, with a pair of incised rings around the waist. The stone is dark grey and brown, mottled with light speckles, and the surface is rough and matte with small chips at the rim.

About 4 inches high and 6 across. Palm-sized, weighty, and good company for a desk.