Description:

Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Bali / Java, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A betel nut mortar with two pestles, featuring a tubular brass mortar encased in bamboo. A socket on one side holds one pestle, while the other can be stored within the mortar. Both pestles have iron rods with spatula-like shapes, and handles intricately carved from cow or buffalo horn. One handle depicts an anthropomorphic pig holding a monkey, while the other is topped with a Barong head with ruby-inlaid eyes. These tools were traditionally used to pound betel nuts (areca nut) and lime for chewing, providing a stimulant effect. Chewing betel nuts causes tooth decay; thus, older individuals missing teeth use mortars to mash the nut. Red-stained mouths and missing teeth have become symbols of elder wisdom, and the utensils used for preparing betel mixtures are valued and often ornately crafted. Size mortar & pestle: 15.75" L x 2" W (40 cm x 5.1 cm); 16" H (40.6 cm) on included custom stand; mortar: 8.75" L x 2" W (22.2 cm x 5.1 cm)

Provenance: ex-San Francisco, California, USA collection

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#188843

  • Condition: Bamboo case is splitting with large cracks and loss to one side. Pitting to iron pestles from age and use. Horn handles have some minor chips, but otherwise great condition. It is unclear if both pestles were intended for this mortar, or perhaps one was collected separately.

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September 13, 2024 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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