Washing Stone, South Korea

Two little feet hold up a great deal of stone, and they do not complain.

This washing stone comes from South Korea and dates to the 20th century, in stone. These low blocks were a standard part of Korean domestic life, used as an anvil for cloth that was beaten smooth with wooden paddles, often by two people working in rhythm. The top is broad and flat, with a gently worn surface. The sides drop straight down to a recessed underside, leaving a stubby foot at each end. Its color is a muted grey-green, granular to the eye and a little rough at the corners. It is 21 inches wide, 8 deep and 4.5 high.

These days it would make a fine low stand for anything that needs grounding.