Washing Stone, South Korea

A slab of grey stone on two short feet, flat on top and in no rush to go anywhere.

This washing stone comes from South Korea and dates to the 20th century, in stone. In Korean households, freshly washed cloth was traditionally folded over a stone like this and beaten rhythmically with wooden paddles to smooth and soften it, and the sound of that work is a familiar part of village memory. The top is flat and lightly pitted, with clean squared edges. Shallow feet are cut at each end, leaving a recessed span beneath. The stone is a soft grey-green with a fine granular texture. It is 21 inches wide, 8 deep and 4.5 high.

An ironing board for people who did not believe in shortcuts.