Circa 1200-1500 AD. Ironstone or basalt. Anthropic mortar and bird pestle, possibly a unique set. The mortar depicts the head of a shaman whose feet extend from the opposite side of the bowl. His eyes are relief carved on the mortar’s edge, beside a series of intertwined bird heads. The pestle has a full-figured, 3-dimensional bird at its top. The bird has a small body and huge head with substantial beak, all elaborately decorated. A zoomorphic head has been incorporated into the beak. The combination of man (mortar) and bird (bowl) implies the Bird man, shamanic use of the mortar and pestle for use in grinding hallucinogens and other mystic powders. Mortar: 3 1/8″ high x 7 3/8″ wide x 5 3/4″ deep; pestle 3 3/4″ wide x 7″ long. Roberts collection.
