Last week I was in Oaxaca, Mexico and saw this large wooden primitive object in an antiques shop located in the center of town. I believe it to be a type of mortar used for grinding corn. It measures about 30″ high with a 14″ diameter and appears to be over 100 years old.
A crack in the wood has enlarged after a metal patch was originally applied. An earlier post, “Primitive wooden shovel, c.1870” shows a similar metal patch on an American piece I own.
This example, also cracked but not patched, is shown with a large pestle
Photo courtesy of Auctions & Services Unlimited
Tags: metal patch