Indian or early Spanish ?

[Treasure1869]

Found many years ago on the Nevada/California border out in the Columbus area.

 

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[lastleg]

A stone cupel?

 

[DCMatt]

Stone bedpan?



DCMatt

 

[Muddyhandz]

Looks like an oil lamp and a pretty darn old one at that!
Really nice find.
Cheers,
Dave.

 

[Muddyhandz]

Or something to render fat?

 

[capt-zero]

Treasure1869,

There is a specific Spanish name for that device and it escapes me now. It is the pestle part of a mortar and pestle used for grinding corn meal. They were first used by the mesoamerican indians, but quickly also became used by the early Spanish settlers to the Americas. To pin it down specifically, it would help to know the context of the find. In other words did you find around an old Spanish settlement or around an old Indian community, ect.?

 

[Treasure1869]

Thanks for all of the replies. I should have added dimensions on this piece which is 9" long and 8" wide. As far as I know, this area (Columbus), was an old mining camp noted for its borax industry. However, your point is well taken and I'll apply myself to some area research.

 

[DCMatt]

I believe capt-zero is correct with the ID. The word he is looking for is molcajete.

The Mexican term for "MORTAR AND PESTLE" — molcajete being the mortar, tejolote the pestle.

DCMatt

 

[Treasure1869]

Thanks again. Another question is why the pouring spout. It appears that whatever they were doing with this piece they were not inclined to dig it out with their fingers.

 

[austin]

Metate is the word for it, but this isn't very smooth inside so it probably had a specific purpose(not grinding corn), like mashing wild grapes and pouring off the liquid or mashing something else and then draining the juices off. I vote spanish. Could be to render fat like muddiehandz says. Also could be how las abuelas made a little pulque.

 

[Mackaydon]

Reminds me of a Holy Land oil lamp.

 

[vor]

Metates (milling stones) come in a lot of different shapes for different uses. My guess is this is to make a sauce. Since crude ones like this are still made and used today south of the border its hard to tell from a photo alone.

 

[Treasure1869]

Thanks again for all of the input. Enjoyable site! BTW I'm leaning towards Spanish origin.

 

[bradyboy]

Early bed ban? LOL
sort of looks modern
Brady