Indian Kharal or Chutney Grinder

Chopped square at the corners, it wears one chunky chiseled edge like a haircut.

This stone kharal or chutney grinder is from India, and dates to the 20th century. It is jaisalmer stone. Stone vessels are carved by hand from a single block, with a hollow bowl for the food and a thick base that keeps the mortar steady while in use. Blocky basin with straight angled sides and a deep reddish-brown surface. Rows of fine chisel strokes cross the rim while the outer faces are pitted and dimpled. A shallow oval hollow is smoothed inside, with a notch at one corner. It is 10 inches wide, 7 deep and 4.1 high.

Blocky, bold, well chiseled, and not the least bit sorry.