What’s this?

[Von]

Hi folks,

Life has been busy and it’s been awhile. Here’s a something I picked up a few days ago? I have no clue what it is and it may just be cast concrete but it feels a little heavy for that?

[Von]

[painshill]

Welcome back Von. It looks like the bowl molcajete part of a molcajete/mano. This is something I would expect to see from Mexico, as their equivalent of the pestle & mortar, used in cookery. They often have tripod feet and are made from vesicular volcanic stones. It may not be tremendously old. When you say 'picked up', do you mean 'bought' or 'found in the ground'?

[Von]

Honestly I bought it at a Goodwill store here in NC for nearly nothing. I was pretty sure it wasn’t from around here. I guess it would be good for grinding up stuff but not great because it’s rough as a cob. The patina is the only reason I bought it. From what you said I guess it’s worth holding onto. Thanks for the information.

Von

[Ron Kelley]

Rough volcanic rock works great for grinding things up. I have pestles made of the same kind of rock.

[painshill]

Molcajetes like this were (still are) typically used to make things like guacamole and salsas as well as for crushing things like chillies, The end product is not necessarily finely ground or smooth. More what you might call 'pulped' or 'smashed'.

[Von]

I’m sure grinding up or smashing peppers or other stuff works pretty good but cleaning it’s got to be a pain.

Von

[Hoss]

ones like it are still made https://www.sanyorkfairtrade.com/mol...MaAk6ZEALw_wcB

[Mattern]

Very interesting Hoss. Now I want one!

[Mailman]

Looks cool. I would've bought it too. Then gotten fussed at by Mrs, lol.

[Von]

My wife doesn’t fuss anymore but she’s got really good at rolling her eyes and shaking her head! LOL

[Hoss]

check this out. These guys make them. The proper pronunciation is in the video.

[Von]

Thanks!

That’s a really cool video and a incredible amount of work and skill involved with making one of these. I think the one I have has some age on it but how much? I was thinking about selling it. Now I’m not sure and may just have to hold onto to it for awhile.

Von

[Hoss]

I have had a couple of them over the years. I used to go to a restaurant that used them to make guacamole fresh table side using a small molcajete. They are not rare . Too bad yours is missing the tejolote