Description:

Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Bali / Java, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A betel nut mortar made from brass and an iron pestle with a decorative horn handle. The sculptural handle is carved from cow or buffalo horn in the form of an anthropomorphic monkey, likely representing Hanuman, mounted on the end of an iron spatula shaped rod. Tools such as this were used for pounding betel nuts (areca nut) and lime for chewing - the betel nut is addictive, yielding similar stimulant to chewing tobacco, the effects of betel is enhanced when mixed with lime. Size of pestle in mortar: 10.25" L x 1.25" W (26 cm x 3.2 cm); 10.5" H (26.7 cm) on included custom stand; mortar only: 6.25" L x 1.2" W (15.9 cm x 3 cm)

Provenance: ex-San Francisco, California, USA collection

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#188844

  • Condition: Mortar base is missing, possibly worn away from use. Chips and abrasions to brass as expected with age and use. Iron pestle is pitted with age and use and has developed a russet patina. Chips to high pointed areas of the horn handle, but otherwise good condition.

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

Artemis Fine Arts

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$300 $999 $50
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$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000