Very rare large octagonal bronze Mortar (probably Persian). Probably very old, dating before 16th century? Weighs over 10 kilo. Measures: 12,5 cm high and 19,5 cm diameter. So far no pieces identified with similar designs. The casting of the detailed designs is a little bit crude. Mortars also played an important role in pounding coffee.
In 1836 Wellsted writes in his travels of Arabia "One of the slaves kept pounding coffee from the time they first arrived. The pestle on these occasions is made to strike the sides and bottom of the mortar in such time and manner as to cause it to resemble the chiming bells, and the slave usually accompanies it with a song" This very large heavy mortar has probably not been used for preparing coffee. In fact the bottom of this mortar has been used as frequently as an anvil (based on all the dents) ....
