African Mortar and Mortar Stick from 1900's

This large mortar bowl and mortar stick from the Central African Republic were hand-carved and used in daily life to mix and beat grains, grind wheat, and even make peanut butter. The bowl is made from heavy dense wood and has a hollowed-out center and decorative base, and the stick seems more like a baseball bat. A note on the mortar stick reads “Mortar Stick / Husband Beater”, which doesn’t portend well for family relations. The bowl measures 11 3/8 in. high x 11 5/8 in. wide and the mortar stick is a hefty 29 in. long x 2 1/4 in. wide. Wear commensurate with age and use. From the Dale Baker collection.