Indian Brass Mortar

A speckled green-gold pot covered in tiny scratched writing.

This brass mortar is from India, and dates to the mid 19th or early 20th century. A mortar and pestle is among the oldest kitchen tools, used to crush and grind spices, herbs and seeds, and it is found in cultures worldwide. A squat vessel with a thick, flat rim, fine incised rings and a band of dense, scratched script around the belly. The foot flares into a broad disc. The color is mottled olive and yellow, with a crusty, uneven finish. It is 2.25 inches high and 2.75 in diameter.

The text is small, the vessel is bold.